Warwick, RI Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Warwick between Apr 14 and May 10. The best time to overseed is between Aug 22 and Oct 11. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 10. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Warwick
| 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 14 – May 10 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 3 – Jun 7 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 22 – Oct 11 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 12 – Nov 12 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Warwick. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Warwick
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- 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 Warwick by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 32°F and peaks in July at 75°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 14.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32°F | 34°F | 40°F | 49°F | 59°F | 68°F | 75°F | 74°F | 68°F | 58°F | 46°F | 36°F |
Warwick lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Warwick reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 8 (2021) and as late as May 2 (2020): 24 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 10) and first fall frost (Nov 5), the growing season lasts about 209 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 20 | Apr 10 | Nov 7 |
| 2024 | Apr 12 | Mar 25 | Nov 4 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Apr 12 | Mar 30 | Nov 15 |
| 2021 | Apr 8 | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
| 2020 | May 2 | Apr 23 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 14 | Apr 11 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Apr 25 | Apr 11 | Oct 19 |
| 2017 | Apr 11 | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| 2016 | Apr 19 | Apr 10 | Nov 22 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Warwick. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Warwick?
In a typical year, between Apr 14 and May 10. 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 Warwick?
Early fall, typically Aug 22 – Oct 11, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Warwick?
The median last spring frost is Apr 10 and the median first fall frost is Nov 5 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Warwick?
About 209 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 10 to the median first fall frost on Nov 5 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Rhode Island lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Worcester, MA 43 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 13
- Boston, MA 49 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 14 – May 19
- Barnstable, MA 58 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 30 – May 22
- Lowell, MA 64 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 21