Aurora, CO Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Aurora between Apr 13 and May 15. The best time to overseed is between Aug 3 and Sep 22. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 25. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Aurora

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Apr 13 – May 15
Spring fertilizer
May 8 – Jun 12
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 3 – Sep 22
Fall fertilizer
Sep 11 – Nov 3
Light band: typical frost-free season. Bars: typical windows.
TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens.Apr 13 – May 15
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 8 – Jun 12
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 3 – Sep 22
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Sep 11 – Nov 3

Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Aurora. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.

Month-by-month lawn care in Aurora

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  3. MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  4. AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  5. MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  6. JuneSpring fertilizer
  7. JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  8. AugustOverseeding & seeding
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Aurora by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 31°F and peaks in July at 75°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 13.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
31°F32°F41°F47°F56°F69°F75°F74°F68°F54°F43°F36°F

Aurora lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Aurora reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 16 (2017) and as late as Apr 29 (2018): 44 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 (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 17), the growing season lasts about 175 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 26Apr 20Oct 29
2024Apr 13Apr 22Oct 31
2023Apr 11Apr 24Oct 27
2022Apr 21May 22Oct 24
2021Apr 4Apr 24Oct 13
2020Apr 26Apr 19Sep 9
2019Apr 20May 22Oct 10
2018Apr 29Apr 26Oct 10
2017Mar 16May 20Oct 9
2016Apr 6May 3Oct 20

Estimated from daily temperatures for Aurora. A dash means it didn't happen that year.

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Aurora?

In a typical year, between Apr 13 and May 15. 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 Aurora?

Early fall, typically Aug 3 – Sep 22, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Aurora?

The median last spring frost is Apr 25 and the median first fall frost is Oct 17 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Aurora?

About 175 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 25 to the median first fall frost on Oct 17 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

More Colorado lawn calendars

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