Dothan, AL Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Dothan between Feb 1 and Feb 17. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 19 and Sep 7. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 4. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Dothan
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Feb 1 – Feb 17 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Mar 19 – Oct 10 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Mar 19 – Sep 7 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Dothan. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Dothan
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- SeptemberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Dothan by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 50°F and peaks in July at 83°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 1.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50°F | 56°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 80°F | 83°F | 82°F | 79°F | 71°F | 60°F | 54°F |
Dothan lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Dothan reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 13 (2017) and as late as Feb 17 (2022): 35 days apart. A fixed calendar date can't follow that, which is why the report above uses this year's soil temperature. Between the typical last spring frost (Mar 4) and first fall frost (Nov 21), the growing season lasts about 262 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 31 | Feb 22 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Jan 25 | Feb 20 | Dec 1 |
| 2023 | Jan 30 | Mar 21 | Nov 29 |
| 2022 | Feb 17 | Mar 14 | Nov 18 |
| 2021 | Jan 22 | Feb 21 | Nov 24 |
| 2020 | Feb 4 | Feb 28 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Feb 4 | Mar 7 | Nov 13 |
| 2018 | Feb 5 | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| 2017 | Jan 13 | Mar 17 | Nov 20 |
| 2016 | Feb 1 | Feb 11 | Nov 20 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Dothan. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Dothan?
In a typical year, between Feb 1 and Feb 17. Put it down when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F and crabgrass starts sprouting. Early springs move this up by a week or more, so check this year's soil temperature above.
When is the best time to plant grass seed in Dothan?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 19 – Sep 7, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Dothan?
The median last spring frost is Mar 4 and the median first fall frost is Nov 21 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Dothan?
About 262 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 4 to the median first fall frost on Nov 21 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Alabama lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Albany, GA 77 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 1 – Feb 16
- Tallahassee, FL 85 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 26 – Feb 10
- Columbus, GA 89 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 2 – Mar 2
- Pensacola, FL 122 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 28 – Feb 12