Tallahassee, FL Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Tallahassee between Jan 26 and Feb 10. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 10 and Sep 27. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 1. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Tallahassee
| 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 26 – Feb 10 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Mar 10 – Oct 18 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Mar 10 – Sep 27 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 22 – Nov 12 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Tallahassee. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Tallahassee
- JanuaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- SeptemberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Tallahassee by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 52°F and peaks in July at 83°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Jan 26.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52°F | 58°F | 63°F | 68°F | 75°F | 81°F | 83°F | 83°F | 80°F | 72°F | 62°F | 56°F |
Tallahassee lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Tallahassee reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 10 (2018) and as late as Feb 4 (2020): 25 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 1) and first fall frost (Dec 2), the growing season lasts about 276 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 30 | Feb 22 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Jan 24 | Jan 22 | — |
| 2023 | Jan 18 | Jan 16 | — |
| 2022 | Feb 2 | Mar 14 | Dec 24 |
| 2021 | Jan 22 | Feb 5 | — |
| 2020 | Feb 4 | Mar 1 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Feb 3 | Mar 7 | Nov 13 |
| 2018 | Jan 10 | Mar 15 | Nov 28 |
| 2017 | Jan 13 | Mar 17 | Dec 10 |
| 2016 | Jan 28 | Feb 28 | Dec 10 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Tallahassee. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Tallahassee?
In a typical year, between Jan 26 and Feb 10. 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 Tallahassee?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 10 – Sep 27, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Tallahassee?
The median last spring frost is Mar 1 and the median first fall frost is Dec 2 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Tallahassee?
About 276 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 1 to the median first fall frost on Dec 2 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Florida lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Valdosta, GA 65 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 27 – Feb 10
- Albany, GA 79 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 1 – Feb 16
- Dothan, AL 85 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 1 – Feb 17
- Columbus, GA 146 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 2 – Mar 2