Newark, DE Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Newark between Apr 2 and Apr 27. The best time to overseed is between Aug 26 and Oct 15. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 9. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Newark
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Apr 2 – Apr 27 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 20 – May 25 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 26 – Oct 15 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 18 – Nov 19 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Newark. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Newark
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MaySpring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Newark by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 34°F and peaks in July at 78°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 2.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34°F | 37°F | 43°F | 53°F | 62°F | 72°F | 78°F | 76°F | 70°F | 59°F | 47°F | 37°F |
Newark lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Newark reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 14 (2024) and as late as Apr 24 (2018): 41 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 9) and first fall frost (Nov 9), the growing season lasts about 214 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 30 | Apr 9 | Nov 7 |
| 2024 | Mar 14 | Mar 26 | Nov 13 |
| 2023 | Apr 5 | Apr 9 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Mar 19 | Apr 18 | Nov 14 |
| 2021 | Mar 25 | Apr 4 | Nov 3 |
| 2020 | Apr 6 | Apr 19 | Nov 17 |
| 2019 | Apr 8 | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Apr 24 | Apr 21 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Apr 4 | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 25 | Apr 10 | Oct 26 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Newark. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Newark?
In a typical year, between Apr 2 and Apr 27. 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 Newark?
Early fall, typically Aug 26 – Oct 15, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Newark?
The median last spring frost is Apr 9 and the median first fall frost is Nov 9 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Newark?
About 214 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 9 to the median first fall frost on Nov 9 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Delaware lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Philadelphia, PA 36 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 30 – Apr 20
- Lancaster, PA 39 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 8 – Apr 24
- Cherry Hill, NJ 42 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 30 – Apr 27
- Baltimore, MD 53 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 22 – Apr 19