Hello Gardeners, I'm Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension. The best way to control weeds is to have a healthy turf grass - growing grass in sunlight is key - and to use mulch in your shrub beds. For your turf grass, getting a soil sample done right now will give you the exact steps you need to at least make sure your soil is the correct pH and that you apply the right amount and formulation of fertilizer.
Our warm season turf grasses should not be fertilized until after mid-April so you have plenty of time to get your soil sample into your local Extension office and have the results in hand when you'll need them. Getting a good sample is key - visit our indispensable website Clemson hgic and put soil test in the search block to learn how. For six dollars you'll get an expert analysis for the lime and nutrients that your particular turf grass, trees, shrubs, and vegetables need.
Amanda McNulty is a Clemson University Extension Horticulture agent and the host of South Carolina ETV’s Making It Grow! gardening program. She studied horticulture at Clemson University as a non-traditional student. “I’m so fortunate that my early attempts at getting a degree got side tracked as I’m a lot better at getting dirty in the garden than practicing diplomacy!” McNulty also studied at South Carolina State University and earned a graduate degree in teaching there.