Minneapolis, MN Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Minneapolis between Apr 20 and May 15. The best time to overseed is between Aug 10 and Sep 29. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 23. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Minneapolis
| 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 20 – May 15 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 8 – Jun 12 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 10 – Sep 29 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 28 – Oct 29 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Minneapolis. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Minneapolis
- 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
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Minneapolis by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 17°F and peaks in July at 74°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 20.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17°F | 18°F | 33°F | 43°F | 59°F | 70°F | 74°F | 72°F | 66°F | 51°F | 36°F | 23°F |
Minneapolis lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Minneapolis reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 5 (2021) and as late as May 6 (2022): 31 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 23) and first fall frost (Oct 24), the growing season lasts about 184 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 28 | Apr 9 | Oct 24 |
| 2024 | Apr 11 | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 26 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | May 6 | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
| 2021 | Apr 5 | Apr 25 | Oct 23 |
| 2020 | Apr 26 | Apr 22 | Oct 18 |
| 2019 | Apr 24 | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| 2018 | Apr 30 | Apr 21 | Oct 12 |
| 2017 | Apr 15 | Apr 28 | Oct 28 |
| 2016 | Apr 15 | Apr 13 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Minneapolis. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Minneapolis?
In a typical year, between Apr 20 and May 15. 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 Minneapolis?
Early fall, typically Aug 10 – Sep 29, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Minneapolis?
The median last spring frost is Apr 23 and the median first fall frost is Oct 24 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Minneapolis?
About 184 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 23 to the median first fall frost on Oct 24 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Minnesota lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Eau Claire, WI 87 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 23 – May 15
- La Crosse, WI 129 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 10
- Sioux Falls, SD 198 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 15
- Fargo, ND 214 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 5 – May 17