Barnstable, MA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Barnstable between Apr 30 and May 22. The best time to overseed is between Aug 24 and Oct 13. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 10. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Barnstable
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Apr 30 – May 22 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 15 – Jun 19 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 24 – Oct 13 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 25 – Nov 17 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Barnstable. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Barnstable
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Barnstable by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 34°F and peaks in July at 73°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 30.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34°F | 34°F | 39°F | 47°F | 56°F | 65°F | 73°F | 73°F | 67°F | 57°F | 46°F | 37°F |
Barnstable lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Barnstable reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 13 (2023) and as late as May 10 (2016): 27 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 10) and first fall frost (Nov 7), the growing season lasts about 211 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 20 | Apr 18 | Nov 7 |
| 2024 | May 7 | Apr 26 | Oct 29 |
| 2023 | Apr 13 | Apr 9 | Nov 3 |
| 2022 | May 3 | Mar 30 | Nov 15 |
| 2021 | Apr 28 | Apr 4 | Nov 6 |
| 2020 | May 3 | Apr 21 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 19 | Apr 2 | Nov 9 |
| 2018 | May 2 | Apr 11 | Oct 22 |
| 2017 | Apr 26 | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | May 10 | Apr 10 | Nov 22 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Barnstable. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Barnstable?
In a typical year, between Apr 30 and May 22. 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 Barnstable?
Early fall, typically Aug 24 – Oct 13, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Barnstable?
The median last spring frost is Apr 10 and the median first fall frost is Nov 7 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Barnstable?
About 211 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 10 to the median first fall frost on Nov 7 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Massachusetts lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Warwick, RI 58 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 14 – May 10
- Providence, RI 58 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 14 – May 13
- Westerly, RI 82 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 15
- Nashua, NH 95 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 21