Grand Forks, ND Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Grand Forks between May 5 and May 18. The best time to overseed is between Jul 26 and Sep 14. The last spring frost usually comes around May 7. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Grand Forks
| 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 18 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 11 – Jun 15 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 26 – Sep 14 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 19 – Oct 21 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Grand Forks. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Grand Forks
- 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 Grand Forks by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 9°F and peaks in July at 70°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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9°F | 10°F | 23°F | 37°F | 55°F | 67°F | 70°F | 68°F | 61°F | 46°F | 30°F | 16°F |
Grand Forks lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Grand Forks reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 28 (2020) and as late as May 14 (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 7) and first fall frost (Oct 9), the growing season lasts about 155 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 4 | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| 2024 | May 7 | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
| 2023 | May 5 | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| 2022 | May 8 | May 2 | Sep 28 |
| 2021 | May 14 | May 28 | Oct 17 |
| 2020 | Apr 28 | May 15 | Sep 9 |
| 2019 | May 13 | May 17 | Oct 11 |
| 2018 | May 4 | May 11 | Sep 29 |
| 2017 | May 5 | Apr 29 | Oct 10 |
| 2016 | May 3 | May 15 | Oct 8 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Grand Forks. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Grand Forks?
In a typical year, between May 5 and May 18. 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 Grand Forks?
Early fall, typically Jul 26 – Sep 14, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Grand Forks?
The median last spring frost is May 7 and the median first fall frost is Oct 9 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Grand Forks?
About 155 days, from the median last spring frost on May 7 to the median first fall frost on Oct 9 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More North Dakota lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Aberdeen, SD 184 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 1 – May 15
- St. Cloud, MN 213 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 5 – May 16
- Duluth, MN 244 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 23 – Jun 10
- Minneapolis, MN 271 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 15