Flint, MI Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Flint between Apr 21 and May 19. The best time to overseed is between Aug 7 and Sep 26. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 30. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Flint
| 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 21 – May 19 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 12 – Jun 16 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 7 – Sep 26 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 8 – Nov 1 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Flint. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Flint
- 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
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Flint by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 26°F and peaks in July at 72°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 21.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26°F | 26°F | 36°F | 45°F | 57°F | 68°F | 72°F | 71°F | 65°F | 53°F | 40°F | 30°F |
Flint lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Flint reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 7 (2021) and as late as May 7 (2022): 30 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 30) and first fall frost (Oct 21), the growing season lasts about 174 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 22 | May 9 | Oct 26 |
| 2024 | Apr 15 | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 27 | Oct 23 |
| 2022 | May 7 | Apr 29 | Oct 3 |
| 2021 | Apr 7 | May 10 | Oct 24 |
| 2020 | Apr 29 | May 13 | Sep 19 |
| 2019 | Apr 23 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 |
| 2018 | May 2 | Apr 30 | Oct 16 |
| 2017 | Apr 16 | May 9 | Oct 26 |
| 2016 | Apr 18 | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Flint. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Flint?
In a typical year, between Apr 21 and May 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 Flint?
Early fall, typically Aug 7 – Sep 26, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Flint?
The median last spring frost is Apr 30 and the median first fall frost is Oct 21 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Flint?
About 174 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 30 to the median first fall frost on Oct 21 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Michigan lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Toledo, OH 94 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 4
- Cleveland, OH 146 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 3
- Fort Wayne, IN 153 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 15 – Apr 28
- South Bend, IN 160 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 8