St. Paul, MN Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in St. Paul between Apr 21 and May 15. The best time to overseed is between Aug 7 and Sep 26. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 22. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in St. Paul
| 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 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 7 – Sep 26 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 2 – Oct 29 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for St. Paul. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in St. Paul
- 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 & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in St. Paul 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 21.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17°F | 19°F | 33°F | 44°F | 59°F | 70°F | 74°F | 72°F | 66°F | 52°F | 37°F | 23°F |
St. Paul lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in St. Paul 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 22) and first fall frost (Oct 21), the growing season lasts about 182 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 27 | Apr 9 | Oct 24 |
| 2024 | Apr 12 | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 26 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | May 6 | Apr 28 | Oct 14 |
| 2021 | Apr 5 | Apr 25 | Oct 23 |
| 2020 | Apr 26 | Apr 21 | Oct 18 |
| 2019 | Apr 24 | Apr 15 | Oct 13 |
| 2018 | Apr 30 | Apr 21 | Oct 12 |
| 2017 | Apr 15 | Apr 28 | Oct 28 |
| 2016 | Apr 16 | Apr 13 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for St. Paul. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in St. Paul?
In a typical year, between Apr 21 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 St. Paul?
Early fall, typically Aug 7 – Sep 26, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in St. Paul?
The median last spring frost is Apr 22 and the median first fall frost is Oct 21 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in St. Paul?
About 182 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 22 to the median first fall frost on Oct 21 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Minnesota lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Eau Claire, WI 78 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 23 – May 15
- La Crosse, WI 121 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 10
- Sioux Falls, SD 205 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 15
- Cedar Rapids, IA 217 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 17 – Apr 30