Des Moines, IA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Des Moines between Apr 10 and Apr 27. The best time to overseed is between Aug 15 and Oct 4. 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 Des Moines
| 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 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 15 – Oct 4 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 9 – Nov 4 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Des Moines. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Des Moines
- 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 Des Moines by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 23°F and peaks in July at 78°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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23°F | 26°F | 40°F | 50°F | 62°F | 74°F | 78°F | 75°F | 70°F | 56°F | 42°F | 30°F |
Des Moines lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Des Moines reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 12 (2016) and as late as Apr 28 (2022): 47 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 29), the growing season lasts about 191 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 13 | Apr 9 | Nov 2 |
| 2024 | Apr 10 | Apr 21 | Nov 21 |
| 2023 | Apr 9 | Apr 23 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | Apr 28 | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
| 2021 | Apr 5 | Apr 22 | Nov 1 |
| 2020 | Apr 23 | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| 2019 | Apr 7 | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| 2018 | Apr 24 | Apr 19 | Oct 15 |
| 2017 | Apr 9 | Mar 23 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Mar 12 | Apr 12 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Des Moines. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Des Moines?
In a typical year, between Apr 10 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 Des Moines?
Early fall, typically Aug 15 – Oct 4, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Des Moines?
The median last spring frost is Apr 21 and the median first fall frost is Oct 29 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Des Moines?
About 191 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 21 to the median first fall frost on Oct 29 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Iowa lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Omaha, NE 122 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 9 – Apr 29
- Lincoln, NE 168 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 10 – Apr 29
- Rochester, MN 178 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 16
- Kansas City, MO 179 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 20 – Apr 16