LawnWeather

Indiana Lawn Care Calendar

In Indiana, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Mar 12 and May 8: first in Evansville, last in South Bend. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Carmel, South Bend and Bloomington, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Indiana

Typically between Mar 12 and May 8, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Evansville (around Mar 12) and last in South Bend (around Apr 19). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
EvansvilleMar 12 – Apr 13
IndianapolisMar 30 – Apr 22
BloomingtonApr 1 – Apr 24
CarmelApr 11 – Apr 26
Fort WayneApr 15 – Apr 28
South BendApr 19 – May 8

Cool-season lawn calendar

Lawns across Indiana are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

CitySpring fertilizerOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
IndianapolisApr 15 – May 20Aug 18 – Oct 7Sep 15 – Nov 12
Fort WayneApr 21 – May 26Aug 12 – Oct 1Aug 15 – Nov 7
EvansvilleApr 6 – May 11Aug 24 – Oct 13Sep 25 – Nov 22
CarmelApr 19 – May 24Aug 15 – Oct 4Aug 15 – Nov 2
South BendMay 1 – Jun 5Aug 12 – Oct 1Aug 15 – Nov 2
BloomingtonApr 17 – May 22Aug 18 – Oct 7Sep 11 – Nov 12

Frost dates in Indiana

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
IndianapolisApr 10Nov 1
Fort WayneApr 27Oct 26
EvansvilleApr 3Nov 7
CarmelApr 16Oct 29
South BendApr 28Oct 26
BloomingtonApr 13Nov 1

Median dates, 2016–2025. A dash means frost does not occur in most years.

Frequently asked questions

When should I put down pre-emergent in Indiana?

Typically between Mar 12 and May 8, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Evansville (around Mar 12) and last in South Bend (around Apr 19). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Indiana?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 12 to Oct 13 across Indiana, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in Indiana?

Most lawns in Indiana are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

Lawn care guides

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