Baltimore, MD Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Baltimore between Mar 22 and Apr 19. The best time to overseed is between Sep 4 and Oct 24. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 26. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Baltimore
| 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 22 – Apr 19 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 12 – May 17 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Sep 4 – Oct 24 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 22 – Nov 24 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Baltimore. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Baltimore
- 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.
- AugustNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Baltimore by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 37°F and peaks in July at 81°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 22.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37°F | 39°F | 46°F | 56°F | 65°F | 74°F | 81°F | 78°F | 72°F | 62°F | 49°F | 40°F |
Baltimore lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Baltimore reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 5 (2024) and as late as Apr 13 (2018): 39 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 (Mar 26) and first fall frost (Nov 18), the growing season lasts about 237 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 17 | Apr 9 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Mar 24 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Mar 24 | Mar 21 | Nov 25 |
| 2022 | Mar 19 | Mar 30 | Nov 15 |
| 2021 | Mar 24 | Apr 3 | Nov 20 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | Mar 2 | Nov 19 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Mar 9 | Nov 9 |
| 2018 | Apr 13 | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Mar 28 | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 10 | Apr 10 | Nov 23 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Baltimore. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Baltimore?
In a typical year, between Mar 22 and Apr 19. 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 Baltimore?
Early fall, typically Sep 4 – Oct 24, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Baltimore?
The median last spring frost is Mar 26 and the median first fall frost is Nov 18 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Baltimore?
About 237 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 26 to the median first fall frost on Nov 18 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Maryland lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Washington, DC 35 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 14 – Apr 15
- Arlington, VA 39 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 14 – Apr 17
- Alexandria, VA 41 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 9
- Newark, DE 53 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 2 – Apr 27