Gulfport, MS Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Gulfport between Jan 30 and Feb 15. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 9 and Sep 25. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 16. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).

Typical lawn care dates in Gulfport

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Jan 30 – Feb 15
Fertilizer
Mar 9 – Oct 20
Seeding, sodding & plugging
Mar 9 – Sep 25
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
Oct 24 – Nov 14
Light band: typical frost-free season. Bars: typical windows.
TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens.Jan 30 – Feb 15
FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost.Mar 9 – Oct 20
Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost.Mar 9 – Sep 25
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F.Oct 24 – Nov 14

Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Gulfport. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.

Month-by-month lawn care in Gulfport

  1. JanuaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  2. FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  3. MarchFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  4. AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  5. MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  6. JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  7. JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  8. AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  9. SeptemberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  10. OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
  11. NovemberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Gulfport by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 51°F and peaks in August at 84°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Jan 30.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
51°F57°F63°F68°F76°F82°F83°F84°F80°F73°F62°F55°F

Gulfport lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Gulfport reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 12 (2017) and as late as Feb 25 (2021): 44 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 (Feb 16) and first fall frost (Dec 2), the growing season lasts about 289 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Jan 29Feb 22Nov 11
2024Jan 25Jan 22—
2023Jan 29Mar 20—
2022Feb 17Mar 13Dec 19
2021Feb 25Feb 21—
2020Jan 30Jan 22Dec 1
2019Feb 3Mar 6Nov 13
2018Jan 27Jan 20Nov 15
2017Jan 12Jan 9Dec 9
2016Jan 30Feb 11Dec 10

Estimated from daily temperatures for Gulfport. A dash means it didn't happen that year.

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Gulfport?

In a typical year, between Jan 30 and Feb 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 Gulfport?

Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 9 – Sep 25, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.

When is the last frost in Gulfport?

The median last spring frost is Feb 16 and the median first fall frost is Dec 2 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Gulfport?

About 289 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 16 to the median first fall frost on Dec 2 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

More Mississippi lawn calendars

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