Atlanta, GA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Atlanta between Feb 16 and Mar 12. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Apr 27 and Sep 6. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 8. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Atlanta
| 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 16 – Mar 12 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Apr 27 – Oct 9 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Apr 27 – Sep 6 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Atlanta. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Atlanta
- 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
- SeptemberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Atlanta by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 44°F and peaks in July at 81°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 16.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44°F | 50°F | 56°F | 62°F | 70°F | 77°F | 81°F | 80°F | 76°F | 66°F | 55°F | 47°F |
Atlanta lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Atlanta reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 14 (2017) and as late as Mar 11 (2020): 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 8) and first fall frost (Nov 20), the growing season lasts about 257 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 1 | Feb 24 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Feb 10 | Feb 19 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Feb 20 | Mar 21 | Nov 29 |
| 2022 | Feb 23 | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
| 2021 | Feb 25 | Feb 21 | Nov 23 |
| 2020 | Mar 11 | Mar 7 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Feb 6 | Mar 8 | Nov 13 |
| 2018 | Feb 11 | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| 2017 | Jan 14 | Mar 17 | Oct 30 |
| 2016 | Feb 22 | Feb 28 | Nov 27 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Atlanta. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Atlanta?
In a typical year, between Feb 16 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 Atlanta?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Apr 27 – Sep 6, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Atlanta?
The median last spring frost is Mar 8 and the median first fall frost is Nov 20 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Atlanta?
About 257 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 8 to the median first fall frost on Nov 20 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Georgia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Auburn, AL 101 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 9 – Mar 9
- Chattanooga, TN 104 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 1 – Mar 16
- Greenville, SC 137 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 17 – Mar 13
- Birmingham, AL 140 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 6 – Mar 6