LawnWeather

Virginia Lawn Care Calendar

In Virginia, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Feb 28 and Apr 17: first in Virginia Beach, last in Arlington. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Virginia Beach, Richmond, Roanoke, Arlington, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Alexandria, Charlottesville and Lynchburg, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Virginia

Typically between Feb 28 and Apr 17, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Virginia Beach (around Feb 28) and last in Arlington (around Mar 14). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
Virginia BeachFeb 28 – Mar 29
NorfolkMar 8 – Mar 24
ChesapeakeMar 8 – Apr 1
RoanokeMar 9 – Apr 5
RichmondMar 11 – Apr 5
AlexandriaMar 11 – Apr 9
CharlottesvilleMar 12 – Apr 17
LynchburgMar 12 – Apr 15
ArlingtonMar 14 – Apr 17

Cool-season lawn calendar

Lawns across Virginia are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

CitySpring fertilizerOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
Virginia BeachMar 22 – Apr 26Sep 12 – Nov 1Oct 4 – Dec 12
RichmondMar 29 – May 3Aug 25 – Oct 14Sep 24 – Nov 25
RoanokeMar 29 – May 3Aug 28 – Oct 17Sep 17 – Nov 24
ArlingtonApr 10 – May 15Aug 30 – Oct 19Sep 24 – Nov 24
NorfolkMar 17 – Apr 21Sep 9 – Oct 29Oct 5 – Dec 14
ChesapeakeMar 25 – Apr 29Sep 5 – Oct 25Sep 30 – Dec 7
AlexandriaApr 2 – May 7Sep 5 – Oct 25Sep 28 – Nov 25
CharlottesvilleApr 10 – May 15Aug 28 – Oct 17Sep 21 – Nov 24
LynchburgApr 8 – May 13Aug 20 – Oct 9Sep 17 – Nov 24

Frost dates in Virginia

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
Virginia BeachMar 11Nov 26
RichmondApr 9Nov 8
RoanokeApr 6Nov 11
ArlingtonMar 29Nov 13
NorfolkMar 11Nov 23
ChesapeakeMar 21Nov 19
AlexandriaMar 24Nov 19
CharlottesvilleApr 3Nov 11
LynchburgApr 11Nov 3

Median dates, 2016–2025. A dash means frost does not occur in most years.

Frequently asked questions

When should I put down pre-emergent in Virginia?

Typically between Feb 28 and Apr 17, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Virginia Beach (around Feb 28) and last in Arlington (around Mar 14). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Virginia?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 20 to Nov 1 across Virginia, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in Virginia?

Most lawns in Virginia are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

Lawn care guides

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