Early Spring Weed Strategy for New Falcon III Tall Fescue (Chesapeake, VA)

A March lawn shows spurge, chickweed, and thin turf after fall seeding. The homeowner wants crabgrass prevention and existing weed control.

Step 1: Pre-Emergent Now

• Apply Scotts Halts (crabgrass preventer) immediately—early spring, before soil hits 55°F.
• Apply to dry lawn, water in well.
• No overseeding this spring—pre-emergent blocks grass seed.

Step 2: Kill Existing Weeds

• Spot-spray Weed-B-Gon (check label for spurge/chickweed) or use Scotts 2+2 in early May on moist lawn, let sit 24 hrs.
• Avoid weed-and-feed if temps > 85°F.

Step 3: Fall Overseeding

• Overseed in early September with Falcon III + starter fertilizer.
• Water daily 2 weeks, then transition to deep weekly watering.

Fertilizer Timing

Late May (half-rate if Halts used), Labor Day, Halloween. No summer fertilization.

Act now on pre-emergent; clean up weeds in May; thicken turf in September.