Valdosta, GA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Valdosta between Jan 27 and Feb 10. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 9 and Sep 18. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 23. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Valdosta
| 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 27 – Feb 10 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Mar 9 – Oct 21 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Mar 9 – Sep 18 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 18 – Nov 8 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Valdosta. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Valdosta
- 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 Valdosta 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 27.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52°F | 58°F | 62°F | 68°F | 75°F | 81°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 71°F | 62°F | 55°F |
Valdosta lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Valdosta reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 12 (2017) and as late as Feb 4 (2020): 23 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 23) and first fall frost (Dec 2), the growing season lasts about 282 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 30 | Feb 22 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Jan 25 | Jan 22 | Dec 1 |
| 2023 | Jan 18 | Jan 29 | Nov 29 |
| 2022 | Feb 3 | Mar 14 | Dec 19 |
| 2021 | Jan 22 | Feb 5 | Nov 24 |
| 2020 | Feb 4 | Feb 23 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Feb 3 | Mar 7 | Dec 3 |
| 2018 | Jan 23 | Mar 15 | Nov 28 |
| 2017 | Jan 12 | Mar 17 | Dec 10 |
| 2016 | Jan 28 | Feb 12 | Dec 10 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Valdosta. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Valdosta?
In a typical year, between Jan 27 and Feb 10. 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 Valdosta?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 9 – Sep 18, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Valdosta?
The median last spring frost is Feb 23 and the median first fall frost is Dec 2 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Valdosta?
About 282 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 23 to the median first fall frost on Dec 2 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Georgia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Tallahassee, FL 65 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 26 – Feb 10
- Gainesville, FL 100 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 24 – Feb 8
- Jacksonville, FL 102 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 24 – Feb 8
- Dothan, AL 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 1 – Feb 17