Lincoln, NE Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Lincoln between Apr 10 and Apr 29. The best time to overseed is between Aug 1 and Sep 20. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 20. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Lincoln
| 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 10 – Apr 29 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 22 – May 27 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 1 – Sep 20 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 10 – Nov 9 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Lincoln. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Lincoln
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- 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 Lincoln by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 25°F and peaks in July at 77°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 10.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25°F | 28°F | 41°F | 50°F | 62°F | 75°F | 77°F | 75°F | 70°F | 56°F | 42°F | 31°F |
Lincoln lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Lincoln reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 8 (2016) and as late as Apr 25 (2018): 48 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 20) and first fall frost (Oct 15), the growing season lasts about 178 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 12 | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
| 2024 | Apr 10 | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
| 2023 | Apr 9 | Apr 24 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | Apr 23 | Apr 26 | Oct 8 |
| 2021 | Apr 4 | Apr 23 | Oct 22 |
| 2020 | Apr 22 | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| 2019 | Apr 6 | Apr 14 | Oct 12 |
| 2018 | Apr 25 | Apr 20 | Oct 15 |
| 2017 | Apr 9 | Apr 12 | Oct 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 8 | Apr 13 | Oct 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Lincoln. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Lincoln?
In a typical year, between Apr 10 and Apr 29. 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 Lincoln?
Early fall, typically Aug 1 – Sep 20, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Lincoln?
The median last spring frost is Apr 20 and the median first fall frost is Oct 15 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Lincoln?
About 178 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 20 to the median first fall frost on Oct 15 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Nebraska lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Sioux City, IA 118 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 15 – May 12
- Topeka, KS 133 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 21 – Apr 21
- Lawrence, KS 148 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 21 – Apr 23
- Kansas City, MO 162 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 20 – Apr 16