Bend, OR Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Bend between May 7 and Jun 4. The best time to overseed is between Jul 22 and Sep 10. The last spring frost usually comes around May 28. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Bend
| 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 7 – Jun 4 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 28 – Jul 2 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 22 – Sep 10 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 17 – Oct 29 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Bend. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Bend
- 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
- JuneCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JulySpring fertilizerOverseeding & 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 Bend by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 33°F and peaks in August at 68°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 7.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33°F | 34°F | 38°F | 44°F | 51°F | 59°F | 67°F | 68°F | 60°F | 49°F | 40°F | 34°F |
Bend lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Bend reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 7 (2016) and as late as May 25 (2022): 48 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 28) and first fall frost (Oct 5), the growing season lasts about 130 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 8 | May 22 | Oct 6 |
| 2024 | May 12 | Jun 19 | Sep 30 |
| 2023 | Apr 28 | Jun 21 | Oct 13 |
| 2022 | May 25 | May 24 | Oct 23 |
| 2021 | May 13 | May 29 | Oct 7 |
| 2020 | Apr 23 | May 24 | Oct 15 |
| 2019 | Apr 23 | May 26 | Sep 30 |
| 2018 | May 5 | May 31 | Sep 24 |
| 2017 | May 21 | May 19 | Oct 2 |
| 2016 | Apr 7 | Jun 15 | Oct 2 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Bend. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Bend?
In a typical year, between May 7 and Jun 4. 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 Bend?
Early fall, typically Jul 22 – Sep 10, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Bend?
The median last spring frost is May 28 and the median first fall frost is Oct 5 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Bend?
About 130 days, from the median last spring frost on May 28 to the median first fall frost on Oct 5 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Oregon lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Vancouver, WA 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 4 – May 9
- Yakima, WA 180 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 18 – May 6
- Kennewick, WA 182 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 31 – May 3
- Tacoma, WA 227 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 17 – May 16