Davenport, IA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Davenport between Apr 16 and Apr 27. The best time to overseed is between Aug 14 and Oct 3. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 22. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Davenport
| 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 16 – Apr 27 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 20 – May 25 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 14 – Oct 3 |
| 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 Davenport. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Davenport
- 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
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Davenport by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 24°F and peaks in July at 76°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 16.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24°F | 27°F | 40°F | 50°F | 62°F | 74°F | 76°F | 74°F | 69°F | 57°F | 42°F | 31°F |
Davenport lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Davenport reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 5 (2021) and as late as Apr 29 (2022): 24 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 22) and first fall frost (Oct 28), the growing season lasts about 189 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 14 | Apr 9 | Nov 2 |
| 2024 | Apr 11 | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 10 | Apr 24 | Oct 30 |
| 2022 | Apr 29 | Apr 27 | Oct 18 |
| 2021 | Apr 5 | Apr 22 | Nov 2 |
| 2020 | Apr 27 | May 9 | Oct 26 |
| 2019 | Apr 17 | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| 2018 | Apr 24 | Apr 29 | Oct 18 |
| 2017 | Apr 9 | Apr 1 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Apr 16 | Apr 13 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Davenport. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Davenport?
In a typical year, between Apr 16 and Apr 27. 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 Davenport?
Early fall, typically Aug 14 – Oct 3, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Davenport?
The median last spring frost is Apr 22 and the median first fall frost is Oct 28 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Davenport?
About 189 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 22 to the median first fall frost on Oct 28 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Iowa lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Peoria, IL 77 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 10 – Apr 25
- Rockford, IL 93 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 6
- Madison, WI 123 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 16
- Naperville, IL 127 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 8