Duluth, MN Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Duluth between May 23 and Jun 10. The best time to overseed is between Aug 9 and Sep 28. 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 Duluth
| 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 23 – Jun 10 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Jun 3 – Jul 8 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 9 – Sep 28 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 19 – Oct 26 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Duluth. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Duluth
- 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)
- JuneCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JulySpring fertilizerFall fertilizer
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Duluth by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 16°F and peaks in July at 68°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 23.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16°F | 16°F | 28°F | 37°F | 49°F | 59°F | 68°F | 68°F | 61°F | 49°F | 35°F | 22°F |
Duluth lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Duluth reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as May 11 (2022) and as late as May 29 (2019): 18 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 23), the growing season lasts about 172 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 12 | Apr 30 | Oct 24 |
| 2024 | May 19 | Apr 25 | Nov 1 |
| 2023 | May 28 | May 3 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | May 11 | May 4 | Oct 14 |
| 2021 | May 14 | May 11 | Oct 22 |
| 2020 | May 23 | May 12 | Oct 16 |
| 2019 | May 29 | May 7 | Oct 14 |
| 2018 | May 22 | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| 2017 | May 28 | Apr 29 | Oct 28 |
| 2016 | May 22 | Apr 13 | Nov 19 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Duluth. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Duluth?
In a typical year, between May 23 and Jun 10. 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 Duluth?
Early fall, typically Aug 9 – Sep 28, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Duluth?
The median last spring frost is May 4 and the median first fall frost is Oct 23 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Duluth?
About 172 days, from the median last spring frost on May 4 to the median first fall frost on Oct 23 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Minnesota lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Eau Claire, WI 140 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 23 – May 15
- La Crosse, WI 211 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 10
- Fargo, ND 222 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 5 – May 17
- Marquette, MI 224 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 22 – May 31