Washington, DC Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Washington between Mar 14 and Apr 15. The best time to overseed is between Aug 30 and Oct 19. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 26. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Washington
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Mar 14 – Apr 15 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 8 – May 13 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 30 – Oct 19 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 24 – Nov 24 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Washington. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Washington
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- 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 Washington by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 37°F and peaks in July at 81°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 14.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37°F | 40°F | 47°F | 57°F | 65°F | 75°F | 81°F | 79°F | 73°F | 62°F | 50°F | 41°F |
Washington lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Washington reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 21 (2018) and as late as Apr 5 (2019): 43 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 26) and first fall frost (Nov 13), the growing season lasts about 232 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 16 | Mar 9 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Mar 24 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Mar 24 | Mar 21 | Nov 29 |
| 2022 | Mar 17 | Mar 30 | Nov 19 |
| 2021 | Mar 24 | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | Mar 8 | Nov 19 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Mar 28 | Nov 9 |
| 2018 | Feb 21 | Mar 27 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Feb 23 | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 10 | Apr 10 | Nov 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Washington. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Washington?
In a typical year, between Mar 14 and Apr 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 Washington?
Early fall, typically Aug 30 – Oct 19, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Washington?
The median last spring frost is Mar 26 and the median first fall frost is Nov 13 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Washington?
About 232 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 26 to the median first fall frost on Nov 13 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Washington, D.C. lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Arlington, VA 4 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 14 – Apr 17
- Alexandria, VA 8 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 9
- Rockville, MD 13 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 27 – Apr 21
- Annapolis, MD 30 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 24 – Apr 19