State College, PA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in State College between Apr 19 and Apr 27. The best time to overseed is between Aug 13 and Oct 2. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 23. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in State College
| 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 19 – 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 13 – Oct 2 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 24 – Nov 11 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for State College. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in State College
- 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 State College 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 74°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 19.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29°F | 31°F | 39°F | 49°F | 59°F | 68°F | 74°F | 72°F | 65°F | 55°F | 42°F | 33°F |
State College lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in State College reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 7 (2021) and as late as May 2 (2022): 25 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 23) and first fall frost (Oct 27), the growing season lasts about 187 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 19 | Apr 17 | Oct 27 |
| 2024 | Apr 11 | Apr 22 | Oct 25 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 25 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | May 2 | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| 2021 | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Nov 3 |
| 2020 | May 1 | May 10 | Oct 17 |
| 2019 | Apr 19 | Apr 29 | Oct 19 |
| 2018 | May 2 | Apr 21 | Nov 4 |
| 2017 | Apr 11 | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
| 2016 | Apr 18 | Apr 14 | Oct 26 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for State College. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in State College?
In a typical year, between Apr 19 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 State College?
Early fall, typically Aug 13 – Oct 2, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in State College?
The median last spring frost is Apr 23 and the median first fall frost is Oct 27 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in State College?
About 187 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 23 to the median first fall frost on Oct 27 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Pennsylvania lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Hagerstown, MD 80 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 2 – Apr 24
- Frederick, MD 98 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 27 – Apr 19
- Baltimore, MD 123 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 22 – Apr 19
- Rockville, MD 124 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 27 – Apr 21