Savannah, GA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Savannah between Jan 28 and Feb 14. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 21 and Sep 17. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 10. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Savannah
| 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 28 – Feb 14 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Mar 21 – Oct 18 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Mar 21 – Sep 17 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 13 – Nov 3 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Savannah. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Savannah
- 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 Savannah 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 28.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52°F | 56°F | 62°F | 67°F | 74°F | 80°F | 83°F | 82°F | 78°F | 71°F | 61°F | 54°F |
Savannah lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Savannah reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 13 (2017) and as late as Feb 12 (2022): 30 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 (Feb 10) and first fall frost (Nov 29), the growing season lasts about 292 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 30 | Feb 22 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Jan 25 | Jan 22 | Dec 4 |
| 2023 | Jan 18 | Jan 29 | Nov 29 |
| 2022 | Feb 12 | Mar 14 | Dec 19 |
| 2021 | Jan 22 | Feb 5 | Nov 24 |
| 2020 | Feb 4 | Feb 23 | Dec 2 |
| 2019 | Feb 3 | Jan 31 | Nov 13 |
| 2018 | Jan 23 | Jan 31 | Nov 28 |
| 2017 | Jan 13 | Mar 17 | Dec 10 |
| 2016 | Jan 31 | Feb 14 | — |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Savannah. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Savannah?
In a typical year, between Jan 28 and Feb 14. 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 Savannah?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 21 – Sep 17, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Savannah?
The median last spring frost is Feb 10 and the median first fall frost is Nov 29 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Savannah?
About 292 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 10 to the median first fall frost on Nov 29 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Georgia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Charleston, SC 83 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 4 – Feb 16
- Jacksonville, FL 126 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 24 – Feb 8
- Columbia, SC 133 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 5 – Mar 8
- Myrtle Beach, SC 169 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 8 – Mar 1