Winston-Salem, NC Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Winston-Salem between Mar 8 and Mar 30. The best time to overseed is between Aug 25 and Oct 14. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 30. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Winston-Salem
| 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 8 – Mar 30 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 23 – Apr 27 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 25 – Oct 14 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 21 – Nov 24 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Winston-Salem. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Winston-Salem
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- AprilSpring fertilizer
- MayNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Winston-Salem by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 39°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 8.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39°F | 44°F | 51°F | 59°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 77°F | 72°F | 62°F | 51°F | 42°F |
Winston-Salem lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Winston-Salem reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 20 (2017) and as late as Apr 5 (2019): 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 (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 8), the growing season lasts about 223 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 12 | Mar 7 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 4 | Mar 25 | Nov 22 |
| 2023 | Feb 22 | Mar 22 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Mar 3 | Mar 14 | Oct 19 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| 2020 | Mar 11 | Apr 16 | Nov 19 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Feb 21 | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| 2017 | Feb 20 | Mar 23 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Apr 11 | Nov 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Winston-Salem. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Growing warm-season grass in Winston-Salem?
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent) | Mar 8 – Mar 30 |
| Fertilizer | May 2 – Sep 27 |
| Seeding, sodding & plugging | May 2 – Aug 25 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds) | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Winston-Salem?
In a typical year, between Mar 8 and Mar 30. 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 Winston-Salem?
Early fall, typically Aug 25 – Oct 14, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Winston-Salem?
The median last spring frost is Mar 30 and the median first fall frost is Nov 8 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Winston-Salem?
About 223 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 30 to the median first fall frost on Nov 8 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More North Carolina lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Roanoke, VA 83 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 9 – Apr 5
- Rock Hill, SC 93 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 17 – Mar 19
- Lynchburg, VA 109 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 12 – Apr 15
- Greenville, SC 149 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 17 – Mar 13