Pittsburgh, PA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Pittsburgh between Apr 6 and Apr 26. The best time to overseed is between Aug 19 and Oct 8. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 12. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Pittsburgh
| 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 6 – Apr 26 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 19 – May 24 |
| 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. | Sep 7 – Nov 15 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Pittsburgh. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Pittsburgh
- 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 & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Pittsburgh by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 31°F and peaks in July at 76°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 6.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31°F | 34°F | 42°F | 51°F | 62°F | 70°F | 76°F | 74°F | 69°F | 57°F | 44°F | 36°F |
Pittsburgh lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Pittsburgh reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 5 (2024) and as late as Apr 29 (2020): 55 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 12) and first fall frost (Nov 2), the growing season lasts about 204 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 3 | Apr 17 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
| 2023 | Apr 11 | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | Apr 13 | Apr 28 | Nov 15 |
| 2021 | Mar 25 | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
| 2020 | Apr 29 | May 10 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 8 | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Apr 24 | Apr 30 | Oct 22 |
| 2017 | Mar 27 | Apr 8 | Nov 1 |
| 2016 | Mar 13 | Apr 14 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Pittsburgh. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Pittsburgh?
In a typical year, between Apr 6 and Apr 26. 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 Pittsburgh?
Early fall, typically Aug 19 – Oct 8, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Pittsburgh?
The median last spring frost is Apr 12 and the median first fall frost is Nov 2 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Pittsburgh?
About 204 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 12 to the median first fall frost on Nov 2 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Pennsylvania lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Morgantown, WV 56 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 20 – Apr 25
- Akron, OH 91 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 13 – Apr 27
- Cleveland, OH 115 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 3
- Parkersburg, WV 116 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 19 – Apr 22