Norfolk, VA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Norfolk between Mar 8 and Mar 24. The best time to overseed is between Sep 9 and Oct 29. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 11. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Norfolk
| 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 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 17 – Apr 21 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Sep 9 – Oct 29 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Oct 5 – Dec 14 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Norfolk. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Norfolk
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- AprilSpring fertilizer
- MayNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- SeptemberOverseeding & seeding
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberFall fertilizer
Soil temperature in Norfolk by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 43°F and peaks in July at 81°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 8.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43°F | 46°F | 52°F | 61°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 80°F | 75°F | 65°F | 54°F | 46°F |
Norfolk lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Norfolk reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 26 (2024) and as late as Mar 29 (2019): 62 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 23), the growing season lasts about 257 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 16 | Mar 4 | Nov 29 |
| 2024 | Jan 26 | Feb 22 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Feb 16 | Mar 21 | Nov 29 |
| 2022 | Mar 6 | Mar 29 | Nov 18 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Mar 9 | Nov 25 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | Mar 8 | Nov 19 |
| 2019 | Mar 29 | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
| 2018 | Feb 21 | Mar 17 | Nov 21 |
| 2017 | Feb 20 | Mar 24 | Nov 24 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Feb 27 | Nov 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Norfolk. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Norfolk?
In a typical year, between Mar 8 and Mar 24. 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 Norfolk?
Early fall, typically Sep 9 – Oct 29, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Norfolk?
The median last spring frost is Mar 11 and the median first fall frost is Nov 23 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Norfolk?
About 257 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 11 to the median first fall frost on Nov 23 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Virginia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Salisbury, MD 111 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 17 – Apr 17
- Annapolis, MD 148 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 24 – Apr 19
- Washington, DC 148 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 14 – Apr 15
- Raleigh, NC 150 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 20 – Mar 20