Redding, CA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Redding between Feb 6 and Mar 28. The best time to overseed is between Sep 14 and Nov 3. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 2. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Redding
| 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 6 – Mar 28 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 21 – Apr 25 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Sep 14 – Nov 3 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | from Sep 28 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Redding. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Redding
- 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 Redding by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in December at 47°F and peaks in July at 84°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 6.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48°F | 50°F | 52°F | 59°F | 68°F | 77°F | 84°F | 83°F | 76°F | 66°F | 54°F | 47°F |
Redding lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Redding reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 20 (2016) and as late as Mar 18 (2023): 57 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 2) and first fall frost (Nov 28), the growing season lasts about 271 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 21 | Feb 13 | Dec 13 |
| 2024 | Jan 22 | Feb 9 | — |
| 2023 | Mar 18 | Apr 5 | Nov 28 |
| 2022 | Jan 20 | Apr 13 | Nov 20 |
| 2021 | Feb 6 | Feb 28 | Dec 11 |
| 2020 | Jan 27 | Mar 28 | Nov 11 |
| 2019 | Mar 4 | Feb 24 | Oct 31 |
| 2018 | Mar 9 | Mar 6 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Feb 5 | Mar 3 | Dec 10 |
| 2016 | Jan 20 | Feb 2 | Dec 6 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Redding. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Growing warm-season grass in Redding?
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent) | Feb 6 – Mar 28 |
| Fertilizer | May 2 – Oct 18 |
| Seeding, sodding & plugging | May 2 – Sep 10 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds) | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Redding?
In a typical year, between Feb 6 and Mar 28. 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 Redding?
Early fall, typically Sep 14 – Nov 3, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Redding?
The median last spring frost is Mar 2 and the median first fall frost is Nov 28 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Redding?
About 271 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 2 to the median first fall frost on Nov 28 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More California lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Medford, OR 123 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 2 – May 3
- Reno, NV 155 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 7 – May 4
- Eugene, OR 242 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 5 – May 13
- Bend, OR 246 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 7 – Jun 4