Ocala, FL Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Ocala between Jan 24 and Feb 3. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Feb 18 and Oct 10. The last spring frost usually comes around Jan 31. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Ocala
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Jan 24 – Feb 3 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Feb 18 – Oct 30 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Feb 18 – Oct 10 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 27 – Nov 17 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Ocala. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Ocala
- JanuaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)FertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MarchFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- SeptemberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- OctoberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & pluggingFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Ocala by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 57°F and peaks in July at 83°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Jan 24.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57°F | 62°F | 65°F | 71°F | 76°F | 81°F | 83°F | 83°F | 80°F | 74°F | 66°F | 60°F |
Ocala lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Ocala reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 10 (2017) and as late as Feb 3 (2022): 24 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 (Jan 31) and first fall frost (Dec 12), the growing season lasts about 315 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 28 | Jan 26 | Nov 12 |
| 2024 | Jan 24 | Jan 22 | — |
| 2023 | Jan 18 | Jan 17 | — |
| 2022 | Feb 3 | Jan 31 | Dec 24 |
| 2021 | Jan 21 | Feb 5 | — |
| 2020 | Jan 24 | Jan 23 | Dec 2 |
| 2019 | Feb 2 | Jan 31 | — |
| 2018 | Jan 10 | Mar 16 | Dec 12 |
| 2017 | Jan 10 | Mar 16 | Dec 11 |
| 2016 | Jan 27 | Feb 12 | Dec 31 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Ocala. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Ocala?
In a typical year, between Jan 24 and Feb 3. 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 Ocala?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Feb 18 – Oct 10, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Ocala?
The median last spring frost is Jan 31 and the median first fall frost is Dec 12 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Ocala?
About 315 days, from the median last spring frost on Jan 31 to the median first fall frost on Dec 12 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Florida lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Valdosta, GA 132 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 27 – Feb 10
- Albany, GA 204 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 1 – Feb 16
- Savannah, GA 209 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 28 – Feb 14
- Dothan, AL 239 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 1 – Feb 17