Marietta, GA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Marietta between Feb 22 and Mar 12. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Apr 28 and Aug 29. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 19. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Marietta
| 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 28 – Oct 1 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Apr 28 – Aug 29 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Marietta. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Marietta
- 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
- SeptemberFertilizer
- OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Marietta by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 43°F and peaks in July at 80°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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43°F | 48°F | 54°F | 61°F | 70°F | 76°F | 80°F | 79°F | 75°F | 65°F | 54°F | 46°F |
Marietta lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Marietta 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 19) and first fall frost (Nov 12), the growing season lasts about 238 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 3 | Mar 4 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 4 | Mar 20 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Feb 21 | Mar 21 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | Feb 23 | Mar 14 | Oct 20 |
| 2021 | Feb 26 | Apr 3 | Nov 14 |
| 2020 | Mar 11 | Mar 8 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Feb 6 | Apr 1 | Nov 13 |
| 2018 | Feb 12 | Apr 17 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Jan 14 | Mar 17 | Oct 30 |
| 2016 | Mar 8 | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Marietta. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Marietta?
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 Marietta?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Apr 28 – Aug 29, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Marietta?
The median last spring frost is Mar 19 and the median first fall frost is Nov 12 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Marietta?
About 238 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 19 to the median first fall frost on Nov 12 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Georgia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Chattanooga, TN 87 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 1 – Mar 16
- Auburn, AL 107 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 9 – Mar 9
- Huntsville, AL 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 21 – Mar 15
- Birmingham, AL 133 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 6 – Mar 6