Paducah, KY Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Paducah between Mar 11 and Apr 4. The best time to overseed is between Aug 19 and Oct 8. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 1. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Paducah
| 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 11 – Apr 4 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 28 – May 2 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 19 – Oct 8 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 22 – Nov 23 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Paducah. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Paducah
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- 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 Paducah by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 35°F and peaks in July at 80°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 11.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35°F | 39°F | 49°F | 57°F | 67°F | 76°F | 80°F | 77°F | 73°F | 62°F | 48°F | 40°F |
Paducah lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Paducah reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 21 (2017) and as late as Apr 5 (2019): 43 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 1) and first fall frost (Nov 2), the growing season lasts about 215 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 12 | Mar 22 | Nov 10 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Apr 6 | Nov 26 |
| 2023 | Feb 28 | Mar 30 | Oct 31 |
| 2022 | Mar 17 | Mar 21 | Oct 18 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | Apr 16 | Nov 2 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Apr 15 | Nov 1 |
| 2018 | Mar 28 | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| 2017 | Feb 21 | Mar 20 | Nov 1 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Paducah. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Paducah?
In a typical year, between Mar 11 and Apr 4. 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 Paducah?
Early fall, typically Aug 19 – Oct 8, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Paducah?
The median last spring frost is Apr 1 and the median first fall frost is Nov 2 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Paducah?
About 215 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 1 to the median first fall frost on Nov 2 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Kentucky lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Carbondale, IL 56 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 20 – Apr 16
- Clarksville, TN 78 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 5 – Mar 26
- Evansville, IN 83 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 12 – Apr 13
- Nashville, TN 119 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 5 – Mar 26