LawnWeather

Louisiana Lawn Care Calendar

In Louisiana, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Jan 27 and Mar 1: first in New Orleans, last in Monroe. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lafayette, Lake Charles and Monroe, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Louisiana

Typically between Jan 27 and Mar 1, depending on where you live. The window opens first in New Orleans (around Jan 27) and last in Monroe (around Feb 6). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
New OrleansJan 27 – Feb 9
Baton RougeJan 29 – Feb 16
LafayetteJan 30 – Feb 15
Lake CharlesFeb 1 – Feb 16
ShreveportFeb 6 – Mar 1
MonroeFeb 6 – Mar 1

Warm-season lawn calendar

Lawns across Louisiana are mostly warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).

CityFertilizerSeeding, sodding & pluggingFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
New OrleansMar 8 – Oct 31Mar 8 – Oct 13Oct 28 – Nov 18
Baton RougeMar 8 – Oct 24Mar 8 – Sep 23Oct 23 – Nov 13
ShreveportApr 5 – Oct 8Apr 5 – Sep 5Oct 17 – Nov 7
LafayetteMar 8 – Oct 20Mar 8 – Sep 25Oct 22 – Nov 12
Lake CharlesMar 8 – Oct 25Mar 8 – Sep 28Oct 22 – Nov 12
MonroeMar 29 – Oct 2Mar 29 – Aug 30Oct 17 – Nov 7

Frost dates in Louisiana

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
New OrleansJan 23—
Baton RougeFeb 22Nov 24
ShreveportFeb 22Nov 19
LafayetteFeb 7Dec 2
Lake CharlesFeb 22Dec 9
MonroeFeb 25Nov 13

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 Louisiana?

Typically between Jan 27 and Mar 1, depending on where you live. The window opens first in New Orleans (around Jan 27) and last in Monroe (around Feb 6). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Louisiana?

Seed or sod warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede) once soil stays above 65°F: typically from Mar 8, finishing about 10 weeks before the first fall frost.

What type of grass grows in Louisiana?

Most lawns in Louisiana are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).

Lawn care guides

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