Columbus, GA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Columbus between Feb 2 and Mar 2. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 28 and Sep 1. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 4. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Columbus
| 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 2 – Mar 2 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Mar 28 – Oct 4 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Mar 28 – Sep 1 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 17 – Nov 7 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Columbus. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Columbus
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)FertilizerSeeding, 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 Columbus by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 48°F and peaks in July at 83°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 2.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48°F | 53°F | 59°F | 65°F | 73°F | 80°F | 83°F | 82°F | 78°F | 69°F | 58°F | 51°F |
Columbus lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Columbus reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 13 (2017) and as late as Feb 20 (2016): 38 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 4) and first fall frost (Nov 15), the growing season lasts about 256 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 31 | Feb 23 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Jan 25 | Feb 21 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Jan 31 | Mar 21 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Feb 17 | Mar 14 | Oct 20 |
| 2021 | Jan 25 | Feb 21 | Nov 14 |
| 2020 | Feb 11 | Mar 1 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Feb 4 | Mar 7 | Nov 13 |
| 2018 | Feb 7 | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| 2017 | Jan 13 | Mar 17 | Nov 20 |
| 2016 | Feb 20 | Mar 1 | Nov 20 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Columbus. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Columbus?
In a typical year, between Feb 2 and Mar 2. 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 Columbus?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 28 – Sep 1, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Columbus?
The median last spring frost is Mar 4 and the median first fall frost is Nov 15 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Columbus?
About 256 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 4 to the median first fall frost on Nov 15 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Georgia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Auburn, AL 30 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 9 – Mar 9
- Montgomery, AL 77 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 4 – Mar 1
- Dothan, AL 89 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 1 – Feb 17
- Birmingham, AL 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 6 – Mar 6