Bismarck, ND Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Bismarck between May 5 and May 19. The best time to overseed is between Jul 25 and Sep 13. The last spring frost usually comes around May 1. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Bismarck
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | May 5 – May 19 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 12 – Jun 16 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 25 – Sep 13 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 5 – Oct 24 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Bismarck. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Bismarck
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyOverseeding & seeding
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Bismarck by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 14°F and peaks in July at 72°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 5.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14°F | 16°F | 29°F | 40°F | 55°F | 67°F | 72°F | 70°F | 62°F | 47°F | 33°F | 20°F |
Bismarck lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Bismarck reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 21 (2019) and as late as May 14 (2021): 23 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 (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 8), the growing season lasts about 160 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 4 | Apr 30 | Oct 22 |
| 2024 | May 7 | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
| 2023 | May 4 | May 2 | Oct 7 |
| 2022 | May 7 | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| 2021 | May 14 | May 11 | Oct 21 |
| 2020 | Apr 24 | May 15 | Sep 9 |
| 2019 | Apr 21 | May 9 | Oct 10 |
| 2018 | May 3 | Apr 28 | Sep 28 |
| 2017 | May 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| 2016 | May 4 | Apr 22 | Oct 6 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Bismarck. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Bismarck?
In a typical year, between May 5 and May 19. 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 Bismarck?
Early fall, typically Jul 25 – Sep 13, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Bismarck?
The median last spring frost is May 1 and the median first fall frost is Oct 8 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Bismarck?
About 160 days, from the median last spring frost on May 1 to the median first fall frost on Oct 8 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More North Dakota lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Aberdeen, SD 144 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 1 – May 15
- Rapid City, SD 223 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 4 – May 23
- Sioux Falls, SD 299 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 15
- St. Cloud, MN 328 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 5 – May 16