Murfreesboro, TN Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Murfreesboro between Mar 5 and Apr 3. The best time to overseed is between Aug 18 and Oct 7. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 6. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Murfreesboro
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 27 – May 1 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 18 – Oct 7 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 25 – Nov 26 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Murfreesboro. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Murfreesboro
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- 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 Murfreesboro by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 38°F and peaks in July at 80°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 5.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38°F | 44°F | 51°F | 58°F | 68°F | 75°F | 80°F | 78°F | 73°F | 63°F | 50°F | 43°F |
Murfreesboro lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Murfreesboro reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 15 (2017) and as late as Apr 4 (2019): 79 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 6) and first fall frost (Nov 1), the growing season lasts about 209 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 4 | Apr 10 | Nov 10 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Mar 20 | Oct 18 |
| 2023 | Feb 22 | Mar 30 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | Mar 4 | Apr 10 | Oct 19 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Apr 22 | Nov 5 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | Apr 16 | Nov 2 |
| 2019 | Apr 4 | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| 2018 | Feb 20 | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
| 2017 | Jan 15 | Mar 20 | Oct 30 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Mar 26 | Nov 10 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Murfreesboro. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Growing warm-season grass in Murfreesboro?
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Fertilizer | May 1 – Sep 20 |
| Seeding, sodding & plugging | May 1 – Aug 18 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds) | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Murfreesboro?
In a typical year, between Mar 5 and Apr 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 Murfreesboro?
Early fall, typically Aug 18 – Oct 7, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Murfreesboro?
The median last spring frost is Apr 6 and the median first fall frost is Nov 1 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Murfreesboro?
About 209 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 6 to the median first fall frost on Nov 1 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Tennessee lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Huntsville, AL 78 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 21 – Mar 15
- Bowling Green, KY 79 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 8 – Apr 7
- Owensboro, KY 139 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 10
- Paducah, KY 149 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 4