New Jersey Lawn Care Calendar: Pre-Emergent & Seeding Dates

When to apply pre-emergent in New Jersey

Typically between Mar 30 and May 6, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Cherry Hill (around Mar 30) and last in Toms River (around Apr 12). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

City	Crabgrass preventer window
Cherry Hill	Mar 30 – Apr 27
Trenton	Apr 8 – Apr 27
Atlantic City	Apr 8 – Apr 29
Newark	Apr 11 – May 2
Toms River	Apr 12 – May 6

Cool-season lawn calendar

Lawns across New Jersey are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

City	Spring fertilizer	Overseeding & seeding	Fall fertilizer
Newark	Apr 25 – May 30	Aug 29 – Oct 18	Sep 17 – Nov 21
Trenton	Apr 20 – May 25	Aug 19 – Oct 8	Sep 17 – Nov 15
Atlantic City	Apr 22 – May 27	Sep 9 – Oct 29	Sep 22 – Nov 27
Toms River	Apr 29 – Jun 3	Aug 19 – Oct 8	Sep 16 – Nov 19
Cherry Hill	Apr 20 – May 25	Aug 28 – Oct 17	Sep 21 – Nov 23

Frost dates in New Jersey

City	Last spring frost	First fall frost
Newark	Apr 1	Nov 12
Trenton	Apr 10	Nov 2
Atlantic City	Mar 28	Nov 23
Toms River	Apr 14	Nov 2
Cherry Hill	Apr 3	Nov 11

Median dates, 2016–2025. A dash means frost does not occur in most years.

Frequently asked questions

When should I put down pre-emergent in New Jersey?

Typically between Mar 30 and May 6, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Cherry Hill (around Mar 30) and last in Toms River (around Apr 12). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in New Jersey?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 19 to Oct 29 across New Jersey, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in New Jersey?

Most lawns in New Jersey are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

New Jersey Lawn Care Calendar