LawnWeather

Michigan Lawn Care Calendar

In Michigan, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Apr 19 and May 31: first in Detroit, last in Marquette. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Marquette, Ann Arbor, Flint, Kalamazoo and Traverse City, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Michigan

Typically between Apr 19 and May 31, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Detroit (around Apr 19) and last in Marquette (around May 22). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
DetroitApr 19 – May 4
LansingApr 19 – May 13
Ann ArborApr 19 – May 8
KalamazooApr 20 – May 7
Grand RapidsApr 21 – May 13
FlintApr 21 – May 19
Traverse CityMay 6 – May 27
MarquetteMay 22 – May 31

Cool-season lawn calendar

Lawns across Michigan are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

CitySpring fertilizerOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
DetroitApr 27 – Jun 1Aug 24 – Oct 13Sep 3 – Nov 12
Grand RapidsMay 6 – Jun 10Aug 12 – Oct 1Aug 12 – Nov 2
LansingMay 6 – Jun 10Aug 10 – Sep 29Aug 6 – Nov 2
MarquetteMay 24 – Jun 28Aug 12 – Oct 1Jul 16 – Oct 24
Ann ArborMay 1 – Jun 5Aug 6 – Sep 25Aug 12 – Nov 2
FlintMay 12 – Jun 16Aug 7 – Sep 26Aug 8 – Nov 1
KalamazooApr 30 – Jun 4Aug 7 – Sep 26Aug 6 – Nov 1
Traverse CityMay 20 – Jun 24Aug 13 – Oct 2Jul 20 – Oct 27

Frost dates in Michigan

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
DetroitApr 22Nov 7
Grand RapidsApr 29Oct 26
LansingApr 28Oct 24
MarquetteMay 11Oct 26
Ann ArborApr 28Oct 20
FlintApr 30Oct 21
KalamazooApr 29Oct 21
Traverse CityMay 9Oct 27

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 Michigan?

Typically between Apr 19 and May 31, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Detroit (around Apr 19) and last in Marquette (around May 22). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Michigan?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 6 to Oct 13 across Michigan, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in Michigan?

Most lawns in Michigan are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

Lawn care guides

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