Modesto, CA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Modesto between Feb 3 and Mar 9. The best time to overseed is between Sep 21 and Nov 10. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 4. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Modesto
| 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 3 – Mar 9 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 2 – Apr 6 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Sep 21 – Nov 10 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | from Sep 29 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Modesto. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Modesto
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- AprilSpring fertilizer
- MayNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seeding
- NovemberOverseeding & seeding
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Modesto by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 49°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 3.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49°F | 52°F | 55°F | 61°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 78°F | 74°F | 66°F | 56°F | 49°F |
Modesto lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Modesto reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 16 (2016) and as late as Mar 12 (2023): 55 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 (Feb 4) and first fall frost (Dec 5), the growing season lasts about 304 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 3 | — | — |
| 2024 | Jan 20 | — | — |
| 2023 | Mar 12 | Feb 1 | — |
| 2022 | Feb 9 | Feb 27 | Dec 3 |
| 2021 | Feb 10 | Jan 27 | — |
| 2020 | Jan 25 | Feb 6 | Nov 10 |
| 2019 | Jan 17 | Feb 24 | Dec 29 |
| 2018 | Mar 8 | Feb 25 | Nov 12 |
| 2017 | Feb 3 | Jan 7 | Dec 7 |
| 2016 | Jan 16 | Jan 1 | Dec 18 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Modesto. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Growing warm-season grass in Modesto?
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Fertilizer | May 2 – Oct 11 |
| Seeding, sodding & plugging | May 2 – Aug 29 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds) | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Modesto?
In a typical year, between Feb 3 and Mar 9. 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 Modesto?
Early fall, typically Sep 21 – Nov 10, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Modesto?
The median last spring frost is Feb 4 and the median first fall frost is Dec 5 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Modesto?
About 304 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 4 to the median first fall frost on Dec 5 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More California lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Reno, NV 146 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 7 – May 4
- Medford, OR 339 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 2 – May 3
- Las Vegas, NV 339 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 3 – Feb 17
- Henderson, NV 351 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 3 – Feb 22