Virginia Beach, VA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Virginia Beach between Feb 28 and Mar 29. The best time to overseed is between Sep 12 and Nov 1. 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 Virginia Beach
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 22 – Apr 26 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Sep 12 – Nov 1 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Oct 4 – Dec 12 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Virginia Beach. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Virginia Beach
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- 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
- NovemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- DecemberFall fertilizer
Soil temperature in Virginia Beach 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 Feb 28.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43°F | 46°F | 51°F | 60°F | 68°F | 75°F | 81°F | 79°F | 75°F | 65°F | 54°F | 46°F |
Virginia Beach lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Virginia Beach reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 26 (2024) and as late as Apr 4 (2019): 68 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 26), the growing season lasts about 260 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 16 | Mar 4 | Nov 30 |
| 2024 | Jan 26 | Feb 22 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Feb 16 | Mar 21 | Nov 28 |
| 2022 | Mar 6 | Mar 14 | Nov 18 |
| 2021 | Mar 11 | Mar 8 | Nov 30 |
| 2020 | Mar 10 | Mar 8 | Dec 3 |
| 2019 | Apr 4 | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
| 2018 | Feb 20 | Mar 17 | Nov 23 |
| 2017 | Feb 20 | Mar 24 | Nov 12 |
| 2016 | Feb 22 | Feb 19 | Nov 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Virginia Beach. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Virginia Beach?
In a typical year, between Feb 28 and Mar 29. 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 Virginia Beach?
Early fall, typically Sep 12 – Nov 1, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Virginia Beach?
The median last spring frost is Mar 11 and the median first fall frost is Nov 26 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Virginia Beach?
About 260 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 11 to the median first fall frost on Nov 26 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Virginia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Salisbury, MD 106 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 17 – Apr 17
- Annapolis, MD 150 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 24 – Apr 19
- Washington, DC 154 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 14 – Apr 15
- Dover, DE 162 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 25 – Apr 24