Lewiston, ME Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Lewiston between May 11 and May 24. The best time to overseed is between Jul 30 and Sep 18. The last spring frost usually comes around May 4. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Lewiston
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | May 11 – May 24 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 30 – Sep 18 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 4 – Nov 4 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Lewiston. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Lewiston
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyOverseeding & seeding
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Lewiston 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 71°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 11.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23°F | 24°F | 32°F | 43°F | 54°F | 64°F | 71°F | 69°F | 63°F | 52°F | 38°F | 27°F |
Lewiston lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Lewiston reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 14 (2023) and as late as May 19 (2019): 35 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 (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 13), the growing season lasts about 162 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 25 | Apr 21 | Oct 10 |
| 2024 | May 6 | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
| 2023 | Apr 14 | May 18 | Oct 24 |
| 2022 | May 11 | May 9 | Oct 3 |
| 2021 | May 10 | May 7 | Oct 24 |
| 2020 | May 16 | May 6 | Sep 20 |
| 2019 | May 19 | Apr 29 | Oct 5 |
| 2018 | May 3 | May 12 | Oct 14 |
| 2017 | May 17 | Apr 19 | Oct 13 |
| 2016 | May 11 | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Lewiston. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Lewiston?
In a typical year, between May 11 and May 24. 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 Lewiston?
Early fall, typically Jul 30 – Sep 18, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Lewiston?
The median last spring frost is May 4 and the median first fall frost is Oct 13 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Lewiston?
About 162 days, from the median last spring frost on May 4 to the median first fall frost on Oct 13 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Maine lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Berlin, NH 55 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 17 – May 31
- Concord, NH 91 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 23
- Manchester, NH 99 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 21
- Nashua, NH 112 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 21