Bellevue, WA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Bellevue between Apr 5 and May 14. The best time to overseed is between Aug 26 and Oct 15. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 12. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Bellevue
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Apr 5 – May 14 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 7 – Jun 11 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 26 – Oct 15 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 16 – Nov 13 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Bellevue. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Bellevue
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyFall fertilizer
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Bellevue by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 42°F and peaks in August at 68°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 5.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42°F | 42°F | 45°F | 50°F | 57°F | 61°F | 67°F | 68°F | 63°F | 54°F | 47°F | 42°F |
Bellevue lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Bellevue reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 29 (2024) and as late as Apr 26 (2023): 87 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 12) and first fall frost (Nov 9), the growing season lasts about 242 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 26 | Feb 14 | Dec 1 |
| 2024 | Jan 29 | Mar 8 | Dec 4 |
| 2023 | Apr 26 | Mar 28 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | Mar 27 | Mar 11 | Nov 9 |
| 2021 | Apr 16 | Apr 12 | Nov 18 |
| 2020 | Apr 16 | Apr 14 | Oct 26 |
| 2019 | Mar 19 | Mar 12 | Oct 11 |
| 2018 | Apr 7 | Mar 25 | Nov 9 |
| 2017 | Apr 18 | Mar 1 | Nov 4 |
| 2016 | Apr 1 | Jan 15 | Dec 6 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Bellevue. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Bellevue?
In a typical year, between Apr 5 and May 14. 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 Bellevue?
Early fall, typically Aug 26 – Oct 15, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Bellevue?
The median last spring frost is Mar 12 and the median first fall frost is Nov 9 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Bellevue?
About 242 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 12 to the median first fall frost on Nov 9 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Washington lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Portland, OR 146 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 5
- Salem, OR 189 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 9
- Bend, OR 249 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 7 – Jun 4
- Eugene, OR 250 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 5 – May 13