Reno, NV Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Reno between Apr 7 and May 4. The best time to overseed is between Jul 31 and Sep 19. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 21. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Reno
| 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 7 – May 4 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 27 – Jun 1 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 31 – Sep 19 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 9 – Nov 10 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Reno. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Reno
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyOverseeding & seeding
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Reno by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 36°F and peaks in July at 76°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 7.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | 38°F | 42°F | 50°F | 58°F | 68°F | 76°F | 75°F | 67°F | 55°F | 44°F | 37°F |
Reno lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Reno reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 2 (2016) and as late as Apr 24 (2023): 53 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 21) and first fall frost (Oct 14), the growing season lasts about 176 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 9 | Apr 20 | Oct 13 |
| 2024 | Apr 17 | May 5 | Oct 18 |
| 2023 | Apr 24 | Apr 21 | Oct 13 |
| 2022 | Mar 25 | May 13 | Oct 23 |
| 2021 | Apr 4 | Apr 29 | Oct 12 |
| 2020 | Apr 22 | Apr 15 | Oct 24 |
| 2019 | Apr 18 | May 2 | Oct 2 |
| 2018 | Apr 1 | Apr 18 | Oct 15 |
| 2017 | Mar 14 | Apr 16 | Oct 13 |
| 2016 | Mar 2 | Apr 1 | Nov 17 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Reno. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Reno?
In a typical year, between Apr 7 and May 4. 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 Reno?
Early fall, typically Jul 31 – Sep 19, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Reno?
The median last spring frost is Apr 21 and the median first fall frost is Oct 14 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Reno?
About 176 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 21 to the median first fall frost on Oct 14 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Nevada lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Sacramento, CA 112 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 3 – Mar 13
- Stockton, CA 135 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 3 – Mar 14
- Modesto, CA 146 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 3 – Mar 9
- Redding, CA 155 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 6 – Mar 28