Burlington, VT Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Burlington between Apr 28 and May 15. The best time to overseed is between Aug 18 and Oct 7. 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 Burlington
| 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 28 – May 15 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 8 – Jun 12 |
| 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. | Aug 23 – Nov 3 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Burlington. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Burlington
- 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 & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Burlington by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 24°F and peaks in July at 74°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 28.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24°F | 24°F | 33°F | 45°F | 58°F | 68°F | 74°F | 72°F | 65°F | 54°F | 40°F | 29°F |
Burlington lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Burlington reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 9 (2021) and as late as May 16 (2020): 37 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 (Nov 1), the growing season lasts about 193 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 29 | Apr 21 | Oct 10 |
| 2024 | May 2 | Apr 26 | Oct 28 |
| 2023 | Apr 13 | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | May 2 | Apr 18 | Nov 9 |
| 2021 | Apr 9 | Apr 23 | Nov 4 |
| 2020 | May 16 | Apr 24 | Oct 30 |
| 2019 | Apr 20 | Apr 17 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Apr 25 | Apr 23 | Oct 26 |
| 2017 | Apr 27 | Apr 14 | Oct 17 |
| 2016 | May 11 | Apr 29 | Nov 1 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Burlington. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Burlington?
In a typical year, between Apr 28 and May 15. 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 Burlington?
Early fall, typically Aug 18 – Oct 7, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Burlington?
The median last spring frost is Apr 22 and the median first fall frost is Nov 1 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Burlington?
About 193 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 22 to the median first fall frost on Nov 1 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Vermont lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Berlin, NH 100 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 17 – May 31
- Concord, NH 121 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 23
- Albany, NY 129 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – May 9
- Manchester, NH 135 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 25 – May 21