Minot, ND Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Minot between May 4 and May 19. The best time to overseed is between Jul 24 and Sep 12. The last spring frost usually comes around May 6. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Minot
| 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 4 – 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 24 – Sep 12 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 25 – Oct 19 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Minot. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Minot
- 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 Minot by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 12°F and peaks in July at 70°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 4.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12°F | 13°F | 26°F | 38°F | 55°F | 66°F | 70°F | 69°F | 61°F | 46°F | 31°F | 17°F |
Minot lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Minot reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 20 (2019) and as late as May 13 (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 6) and first fall frost (Oct 7), the growing season lasts about 154 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 4 | Apr 30 | Oct 6 |
| 2024 | May 7 | Apr 29 | Oct 15 |
| 2023 | May 4 | May 2 | Oct 7 |
| 2022 | May 6 | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| 2021 | May 13 | May 10 | Oct 20 |
| 2020 | Apr 27 | May 12 | Sep 8 |
| 2019 | Apr 20 | May 9 | Oct 3 |
| 2018 | May 4 | May 10 | Sep 28 |
| 2017 | May 5 | May 18 | Oct 13 |
| 2016 | May 3 | Apr 22 | Oct 7 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Minot. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Minot?
In a typical year, between May 4 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 Minot?
Early fall, typically Jul 24 – Sep 12, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Minot?
The median last spring frost is May 6 and the median first fall frost is Oct 7 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Minot?
About 154 days, from the median last spring frost on May 6 to the median first fall frost on Oct 7 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More North Dakota lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Aberdeen, SD 233 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 1 – May 15
- Rapid City, SD 301 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 4 – May 23
- Sheridan, WY 359 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 8 – Jun 1
- Billings, MT 379 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 30 – May 15