Peoria, IL Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Peoria between Apr 10 and Apr 25. The best time to overseed is between Aug 6 and Sep 25. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 21. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Peoria
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Apr 10 – Apr 25 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 18 – May 23 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 6 – Sep 25 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 9 – Nov 5 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Peoria. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Peoria
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- 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
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Peoria by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 26°F and peaks in July at 77°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 10.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26°F | 29°F | 42°F | 51°F | 63°F | 74°F | 77°F | 75°F | 70°F | 57°F | 43°F | 33°F |
Peoria lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Peoria reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 13 (2016) and as late as Apr 23 (2020): 41 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 21) and first fall frost (Oct 20), the growing season lasts about 182 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 14 | Apr 9 | Oct 23 |
| 2024 | Apr 9 | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 9 | Apr 24 | Oct 30 |
| 2022 | Apr 22 | Apr 19 | Oct 8 |
| 2021 | Apr 5 | Apr 22 | Nov 2 |
| 2020 | Apr 23 | May 9 | Oct 16 |
| 2019 | Apr 7 | Apr 16 | Oct 12 |
| 2018 | Apr 23 | Apr 29 | Oct 16 |
| 2017 | Apr 9 | Mar 23 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Mar 13 | Apr 12 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Peoria. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Peoria?
In a typical year, between Apr 10 and Apr 25. 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 Peoria?
Early fall, typically Aug 6 – Sep 25, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Peoria?
The median last spring frost is Apr 21 and the median first fall frost is Oct 20 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Peoria?
About 182 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 21 to the median first fall frost on Oct 20 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Illinois lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Davenport, IA 77 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 16 – Apr 27
- Iowa City, IA 121 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 16 – Apr 30
- Cedar Rapids, IA 140 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 17 – Apr 30
- St. Louis, MO 146 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 15 – Apr 16