Akron, OH Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Akron between Apr 13 and Apr 27. The best time to overseed is between Aug 19 and Oct 8. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 24. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Akron
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 20 – May 25 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 19 – Oct 8 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 27 – Nov 10 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Akron. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Akron
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MaySpring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Akron by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 29°F and peaks in July at 75°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 13.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29°F | 32°F | 40°F | 50°F | 60°F | 70°F | 75°F | 73°F | 68°F | 57°F | 43°F | 34°F |
Akron lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Akron reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 24 (2021) and as late as May 2 (2018): 39 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 (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Nov 2), the growing season lasts about 192 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 19 | Apr 17 | Nov 10 |
| 2024 | Apr 10 | Apr 25 | Oct 27 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 25 | Oct 31 |
| 2022 | Apr 13 | Apr 29 | Nov 17 |
| 2021 | Mar 24 | Apr 22 | Nov 3 |
| 2020 | Apr 29 | May 9 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 8 | Apr 2 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | May 2 | Apr 29 | Oct 22 |
| 2017 | Apr 10 | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
| 2016 | Apr 17 | Apr 14 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Akron. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Akron?
In a typical year, between Apr 13 and Apr 27. 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 Akron?
Early fall, typically Aug 19 – Oct 8, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Akron?
The median last spring frost is Apr 24 and the median first fall frost is Nov 2 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Akron?
About 192 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 24 to the median first fall frost on Nov 2 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Ohio lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Pittsburgh, PA 91 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 6 – Apr 26
- Erie, PA 104 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 14
- Detroit, MI 117 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 4
- Parkersburg, WV 125 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 19 – Apr 22