Springfield, IL Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Springfield between Apr 8 and Apr 24. The best time to overseed is between Aug 7 and Sep 26. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 17. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Springfield
| 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 8 – Apr 24 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 17 – May 22 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 7 – Sep 26 |
| 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 Springfield. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Springfield
- 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 Springfield by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 28°F and peaks in July at 77°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 8.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28°F | 31°F | 43°F | 52°F | 64°F | 74°F | 77°F | 74°F | 70°F | 58°F | 44°F | 34°F |
Springfield lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Springfield reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 20 (2017) and as late as Apr 23 (2018): 62 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 17) and first fall frost (Oct 21), the growing season lasts about 187 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 29 | Apr 9 | Oct 24 |
| 2024 | Apr 9 | Apr 7 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 9 | Apr 24 | Oct 30 |
| 2022 | Apr 22 | Apr 19 | Oct 8 |
| 2021 | Mar 24 | Apr 22 | Nov 2 |
| 2020 | Apr 7 | Apr 18 | Oct 5 |
| 2019 | Apr 7 | Apr 15 | Oct 12 |
| 2018 | Apr 23 | Apr 20 | Oct 13 |
| 2017 | Feb 20 | Mar 23 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Mar 13 | Apr 13 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Springfield. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Springfield?
In a typical year, between Apr 8 and Apr 24. 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 Springfield?
Early fall, typically Aug 7 – Sep 26, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Springfield?
The median last spring frost is Apr 17 and the median first fall frost is Oct 21 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Springfield?
About 187 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 17 to the median first fall frost on Oct 21 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Illinois lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- St. Louis, MO 85 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 15 – Apr 16
- Davenport, IA 130 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 16 – Apr 27
- Columbia, MO 154 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 15 – Apr 17
- Iowa City, IA 163 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 16 – Apr 30