Alexandria, VA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Alexandria between Mar 11 and Apr 9. The best time to overseed is between Sep 5 and Oct 25. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 24. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Alexandria
| 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 11 – Apr 9 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 2 – May 7 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Sep 5 – Oct 25 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 28 – Nov 25 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Alexandria. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Alexandria
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MaySpring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Alexandria 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 82°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 11.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38°F | 41°F | 48°F | 58°F | 66°F | 75°F | 82°F | 79°F | 74°F | 63°F | 51°F | 41°F |
Alexandria lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Alexandria reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 21 (2018) and as late as Apr 5 (2019): 43 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 24) and first fall frost (Nov 19), the growing season lasts about 240 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 16 | Mar 4 | Nov 29 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Mar 1 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Mar 24 | Mar 21 | Nov 29 |
| 2022 | Mar 17 | Mar 30 | Nov 18 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Apr 3 | Nov 6 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | Mar 2 | Nov 19 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| 2018 | Feb 21 | Mar 27 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Feb 23 | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Apr 10 | Nov 23 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Alexandria. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Alexandria?
In a typical year, between Mar 11 and Apr 9. 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 Alexandria?
Early fall, typically Sep 5 – Oct 25, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Alexandria?
The median last spring frost is Mar 24 and the median first fall frost is Nov 19 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Alexandria?
About 240 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 24 to the median first fall frost on Nov 19 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Virginia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Washington, DC 8 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 14 – Apr 15
- Rockville, MD 20 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 27 – Apr 21
- Annapolis, MD 33 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 24 – Apr 19
- Baltimore, MD 41 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 22 – Apr 19