Fargo, ND Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Fargo between May 5 and May 17. The best time to overseed is between Jul 27 and Sep 15. The last spring frost usually comes around May 10. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Fargo
| 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 17 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 10 – Jun 14 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 27 – Sep 15 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 30 – Oct 22 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Fargo. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Fargo
- 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 & seedingFall fertilizer
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Fargo by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 11°F and peaks in July at 71°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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11°F | 12°F | 26°F | 39°F | 56°F | 68°F | 71°F | 69°F | 62°F | 48°F | 32°F | 18°F |
Fargo lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Fargo reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 27 (2020) and as late as May 13 (2021): 16 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 10) and first fall frost (Oct 10), the growing season lasts about 153 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 4 | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| 2024 | May 6 | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
| 2023 | May 5 | Apr 27 | Oct 10 |
| 2022 | May 7 | May 21 | Oct 7 |
| 2021 | May 13 | May 11 | Oct 21 |
| 2020 | Apr 27 | May 13 | Sep 9 |
| 2019 | May 13 | May 10 | Oct 12 |
| 2018 | May 4 | May 10 | Sep 29 |
| 2017 | May 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| 2016 | May 3 | May 15 | Oct 8 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Fargo. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Fargo?
In a typical year, between May 5 and May 17. 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 Fargo?
Early fall, typically Jul 27 – Sep 15, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Fargo?
The median last spring frost is May 10 and the median first fall frost is Oct 10 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Fargo?
About 153 days, from the median last spring frost on May 10 to the median first fall frost on Oct 10 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More North Dakota lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Aberdeen, SD 127 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 1 – May 15
- St. Cloud, MN 155 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 5 – May 16
- Minneapolis, MN 214 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 15
- Duluth, MN 222 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 23 – Jun 10