Carbondale, IL Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Carbondale between Mar 20 and Apr 16. The best time to overseed is between Aug 16 and Oct 5. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 9. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Carbondale
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Mar 20 – Apr 16 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 9 – May 14 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 16 – Oct 5 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 15 – Nov 18 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Carbondale. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Carbondale
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MaySpring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Carbondale by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 33°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 20.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33°F | 37°F | 47°F | 55°F | 66°F | 75°F | 79°F | 76°F | 71°F | 60°F | 46°F | 39°F |
Carbondale lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Carbondale reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 21 (2017) and as late as Apr 23 (2018): 61 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 (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 30), the growing season lasts about 204 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 12 | Apr 8 | Nov 10 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Apr 6 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 1 | Mar 30 | Oct 31 |
| 2022 | Apr 11 | Apr 2 | Oct 9 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Apr 22 | Nov 3 |
| 2020 | Mar 27 | Apr 18 | Oct 5 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Apr 15 | Nov 1 |
| 2018 | Apr 23 | Apr 20 | Oct 21 |
| 2017 | Feb 21 | Mar 20 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Apr 9 | Nov 10 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Carbondale. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Carbondale?
In a typical year, between Mar 20 and Apr 16. 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 Carbondale?
Early fall, typically Aug 16 – Oct 5, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Carbondale?
The median last spring frost is Apr 9 and the median first fall frost is Oct 30 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Carbondale?
About 204 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 9 to the median first fall frost on Oct 30 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Illinois lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Paducah, KY 56 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 4
- St. Louis, MO 82 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 15 – Apr 16
- Evansville, IN 92 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 12 – Apr 13
- Owensboro, KY 115 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 10