LawnWeather

Colorado Springs, CO Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Colorado Springs between Apr 25 and May 20. The best time to overseed is between Jul 29 and Sep 17. The last spring frost usually comes around May 8. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Colorado Springs

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Apr 25 – May 20
Spring fertilizer
May 13 – Jun 17
Overseeding & seeding
Jul 29 – Sep 17
Fall fertilizer
Aug 13 – 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 25 – May 20
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 13 – Jun 17
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Jul 29 – Sep 17
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Aug 13 – Nov 3

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Colorado Springs

  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. JulyOverseeding & seeding
  8. AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Colorado Springs 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 72°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 25.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
31°F32°F40°F46°F55°F67°F72°F71°F65°F53°F42°F35°F

Colorado Springs lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Colorado Springs reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 17 (2017) and as late as May 6 (2016): 50 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 (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 12), the growing season lasts about 157 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 27Apr 21Oct 19
2024Apr 14Apr 21Oct 17
2023May 2Apr 24Oct 14
2022Apr 28May 22Oct 18
2021Apr 5May 12Oct 15
2020Apr 27May 10Sep 9
2019Apr 21May 11Oct 7
2018Apr 29Apr 26Oct 10
2017Mar 17May 20Oct 10
2016May 6May 3Oct 7

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Colorado Springs?

In a typical year, between Apr 25 and May 20. 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 Colorado Springs?

Early fall, typically Jul 29 – Sep 17, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Colorado Springs?

The median last spring frost is May 8 and the median first fall frost is Oct 12 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Colorado Springs?

About 157 days, from the median last spring frost on May 8 to the median first fall frost on Oct 12 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

More Colorado lawn calendars

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