Scranton, PA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Scranton between Apr 13 and May 3. The best time to overseed is between Aug 9 and Sep 28. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 22. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Scranton
| 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 – May 3 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 26 – May 31 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 9 – Sep 28 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 1 – Nov 10 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Scranton. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Scranton
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Scranton by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 30°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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30°F | 32°F | 39°F | 50°F | 60°F | 69°F | 75°F | 73°F | 66°F | 55°F | 43°F | 34°F |
Scranton lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Scranton reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 25 (2021) and as late as Apr 30 (2020): 36 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 22) and first fall frost (Oct 23), the growing season lasts about 184 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 20 | Apr 18 | Oct 10 |
| 2024 | Apr 10 | Apr 26 | Oct 11 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | Apr 13 | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| 2021 | Mar 25 | Apr 22 | Nov 4 |
| 2020 | Apr 30 | May 13 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 13 | Apr 29 | Oct 5 |
| 2018 | Apr 25 | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| 2017 | Apr 11 | Apr 9 | Nov 9 |
| 2016 | Apr 17 | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Scranton. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Scranton?
In a typical year, between Apr 13 and May 3. 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 Scranton?
Early fall, typically Aug 9 – Sep 28, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Scranton?
The median last spring frost is Apr 22 and the median first fall frost is Oct 23 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Scranton?
About 184 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 22 to the median first fall frost on Oct 23 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Pennsylvania lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Newark, NJ 90 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 11 – May 2
- Trenton, NJ 95 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 8 – Apr 27
- New York City, NY 99 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 11 – May 2
- Cherry Hill, NJ 107 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 30 – Apr 27