Memphis, TN Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Memphis between Feb 28 and Mar 18. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Apr 29 and Aug 29. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 11. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Memphis
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Feb 28 – Mar 18 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Apr 29 – Oct 1 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Apr 29 – Aug 29 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Memphis. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Memphis
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- SeptemberFertilizer
- OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Memphis by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 41°F and peaks in July at 82°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 28.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41°F | 45°F | 54°F | 61°F | 71°F | 79°F | 82°F | 81°F | 76°F | 66°F | 53°F | 45°F |
Memphis lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Memphis reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 17 (2017) and as late as Mar 12 (2019): 54 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 (Mar 11) and first fall frost (Nov 12), the growing season lasts about 246 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 11 | Feb 25 | Nov 10 |
| 2024 | Feb 23 | Mar 20 | Nov 29 |
| 2023 | Feb 21 | Mar 21 | Oct 31 |
| 2022 | Mar 4 | Mar 14 | Nov 13 |
| 2021 | Mar 9 | Mar 3 | Nov 19 |
| 2020 | Mar 3 | Feb 28 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Mar 12 | Mar 7 | Nov 1 |
| 2018 | Feb 20 | Apr 8 | Nov 10 |
| 2017 | Jan 17 | Mar 16 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Feb 20 | Feb 27 | Nov 20 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Memphis. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Growing cool-season grass in Memphis?
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent) | Feb 28 – Mar 18 |
| Spring fertilizer | Mar 11 – Apr 15 |
| Overseeding & seeding | Aug 29 – Oct 18 |
| Fall fertilizer | Oct 10 – Nov 30 |
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Memphis?
In a typical year, between Feb 28 and Mar 18. 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 Memphis?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Apr 29 – Aug 29, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Memphis?
The median last spring frost is Mar 11 and the median first fall frost is Nov 12 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Memphis?
About 246 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 11 to the median first fall frost on Nov 12 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Tennessee lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Southaven, MS 11 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 27 – Mar 18
- Jonesboro, AR 60 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 7 – Mar 28
- Tupelo, MS 98 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 18 – Mar 13
- Little Rock, AR 130 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 28 – Mar 19