Field studies were conducted at Florence and Clemson, South Carolina to measure the influence of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] planting dates on the length of early-season weed control needed to prevent yield reductions, the rate of shade development, and suppression of annual weeds by soybeans. The rate of shade development was similar for both planting dates during the 9- to 11-week period after planting for Florence and Clemson, respectively. The period of weed-free maintenance required to prevent soybean yield reductions was not affected by planting dates. With cultivation between rows, early- and late-planted soybeans required 3 weeks of weed-free maintenance to achieve maximum yields. Lower weed weights resulted from late than early soybean plantings. At Clemson, 3 weeks of weed-free maintenance for early and late plantings reduced weed weights 97 and 91%, respectively. Weed weights at Florence were reduced 85% with 3 weeks of weed-free maintenance for the late plantings, whereas 5 weeks were required to reduce weed weights 88% for early plantings.