Springfield, MO Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Springfield between Mar 18 and Apr 18. The best time to overseed is between Aug 11 and Sep 30. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 18. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Springfield
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 11 – May 16 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 11 – Sep 30 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 14 – Nov 11 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Springfield. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Springfield
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MaySpring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Springfield by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 33°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 18.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33°F | 37°F | 47°F | 55°F | 65°F | 74°F | 79°F | 77°F | 72°F | 60°F | 47°F | 40°F |
Springfield lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Springfield reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 20 (2017) and as late as Apr 11 (2022): 50 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 18) and first fall frost (Oct 25), the growing season lasts about 190 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 12 | Apr 9 | Nov 2 |
| 2024 | Mar 4 | Apr 22 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Mar 31 | Apr 23 | Oct 30 |
| 2022 | Apr 11 | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| 2021 | Mar 10 | Apr 22 | Nov 4 |
| 2020 | Mar 27 | Apr 18 | Oct 16 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Apr 2 | Oct 12 |
| 2018 | Mar 24 | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| 2017 | Feb 20 | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
| 2016 | Mar 7 | Apr 2 | Nov 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Springfield. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Springfield?
In a typical year, between Mar 18 and Apr 18. 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 Springfield?
Early fall, typically Aug 11 – Sep 30, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Springfield?
The median last spring frost is Apr 18 and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Springfield?
About 190 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 18 to the median first fall frost on Oct 25 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Missouri lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Fayetteville, AR 93 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 9
- Fort Smith, AR 140 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 28 – Mar 25
- Olathe, KS 142 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 21 – Apr 19
- Overland Park, KS 144 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 21 – Apr 17