Alpharetta, GA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Alpharetta between Feb 22 and Mar 12. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Apr 29 and Aug 27. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 23. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Alpharetta
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Feb 22 – Mar 12 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Apr 29 – Sep 29 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Apr 29 – Aug 27 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Alpharetta. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Alpharetta
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- SeptemberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- OctoberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Alpharetta by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 42°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 22.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42°F | 47°F | 53°F | 60°F | 68°F | 75°F | 79°F | 78°F | 74°F | 64°F | 53°F | 45°F |
Alpharetta lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Alpharetta reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 14 (2017) and as late as Mar 11 (2021): 56 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 23) and first fall frost (Nov 10), the growing season lasts about 232 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 4 | Mar 4 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 3 | Mar 20 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Feb 21 | Mar 22 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | Feb 23 | Apr 10 | Oct 19 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Apr 22 | Nov 8 |
| 2020 | Mar 11 | Mar 8 | Nov 19 |
| 2019 | Feb 6 | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| 2018 | Feb 12 | Mar 23 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Jan 14 | Mar 17 | Oct 30 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Mar 23 | Nov 21 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Alpharetta. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Alpharetta?
In a typical year, between Feb 22 and Mar 12. 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 Alpharetta?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Apr 29 – Aug 27, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Alpharetta?
The median last spring frost is Mar 23 and the median first fall frost is Nov 10 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Alpharetta?
About 232 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 23 to the median first fall frost on Nov 10 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Georgia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Chattanooga, TN 89 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 1 – Mar 16
- Greenville, SC 120 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 17 – Mar 13
- Auburn, AL 123 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 9 – Mar 9
- Knoxville, TN 132 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 5 – Mar 24