Richmond, VA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Richmond between Mar 11 and Apr 5. The best time to overseed is between Aug 25 and Oct 14. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 9. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Richmond
| 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 5 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 29 – May 3 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 25 – Oct 14 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 24 – Nov 25 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Richmond. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Richmond
- 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 Richmond 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 11.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38°F | 42°F | 49°F | 58°F | 66°F | 74°F | 80°F | 78°F | 73°F | 62°F | 50°F | 41°F |
Richmond lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Richmond 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 (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Nov 8), the growing season lasts about 213 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 16 | Apr 9 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Mar 25 | Nov 22 |
| 2023 | Feb 22 | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Mar 18 | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| 2021 | Mar 24 | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | May 10 | Nov 18 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Feb 21 | Apr 8 | Oct 22 |
| 2017 | Feb 23 | Apr 8 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 10 | Apr 10 | Nov 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Richmond. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Richmond?
In a typical year, between Mar 11 and Apr 5. 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 Richmond?
Early fall, typically Aug 25 – Oct 14, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Richmond?
The median last spring frost is Apr 9 and the median first fall frost is Nov 8 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
About 213 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 9 to the median first fall frost on Nov 8 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Virginia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Washington, DC 97 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 14 – Apr 15
- Rockville, MD 108 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 27 – Apr 21
- Annapolis, MD 112 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 24 – Apr 19
- Salisbury, MD 115 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 17 – Apr 17