Topeka, KS Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Topeka between Mar 21 and Apr 21. The best time to overseed is between Aug 14 and Oct 3. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 15. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Topeka
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 14 – May 19 |
| 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 11 – Nov 11 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Topeka. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Topeka
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- 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 Topeka by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 29°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 21.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29°F | 33°F | 45°F | 54°F | 65°F | 76°F | 79°F | 77°F | 72°F | 59°F | 45°F | 36°F |
Topeka lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Topeka reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 18 (2017) and as late as Apr 23 (2018): 64 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 15) and first fall frost (Oct 28), the growing season lasts about 196 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 12 | Apr 9 | Nov 2 |
| 2024 | Mar 13 | Apr 6 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 1 | Apr 23 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | Apr 11 | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| 2021 | Mar 9 | Apr 23 | Nov 3 |
| 2020 | Mar 26 | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| 2019 | Apr 6 | Apr 13 | Oct 12 |
| 2018 | Apr 23 | Apr 19 | Oct 15 |
| 2017 | Feb 18 | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
| 2016 | Mar 7 | Apr 12 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Topeka. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Topeka?
In a typical year, between Mar 21 and Apr 21. 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 Topeka?
Early fall, typically Aug 14 – Oct 3, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Topeka?
The median last spring frost is Apr 15 and the median first fall frost is Oct 28 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Topeka?
About 196 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 15 to the median first fall frost on Oct 28 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Kansas lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Kansas City, MO 59 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 20 – Apr 16
- Lincoln, NE 133 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 10 – Apr 29
- Joplin, MO 150 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 13
- Omaha, NE 153 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 9 – Apr 29