Spokane, WA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Spokane between Apr 26 and May 15. The best time to overseed is between Jul 31 and Sep 19. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 23. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Spokane
| 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 26 – May 15 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 8 – Jun 12 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 31 – Sep 19 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 21 – Oct 31 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Spokane. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Spokane
- 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
- JulyOverseeding & seeding
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Spokane by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 31°F and peaks in July at 72°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 26.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31°F | 33°F | 40°F | 47°F | 57°F | 64°F | 72°F | 72°F | 64°F | 50°F | 40°F | 32°F |
Spokane lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Spokane reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 19 (2024) and as late as May 4 (2022): 46 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 23) and first fall frost (Oct 14), the growing season lasts about 174 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 26 | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
| 2024 | Mar 19 | May 3 | Oct 18 |
| 2023 | Apr 27 | Apr 21 | Oct 26 |
| 2022 | May 4 | Apr 29 | Nov 3 |
| 2021 | Apr 28 | Apr 13 | Oct 11 |
| 2020 | Apr 21 | Apr 18 | Oct 16 |
| 2019 | Apr 19 | May 1 | Oct 1 |
| 2018 | Apr 26 | Apr 24 | Oct 4 |
| 2017 | May 4 | Apr 17 | Oct 9 |
| 2016 | Apr 8 | Mar 30 | Oct 11 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Spokane. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Spokane?
In a typical year, between Apr 26 and May 15. 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 Spokane?
Early fall, typically Jul 31 – Sep 19, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Spokane?
The median last spring frost is Apr 23 and the median first fall frost is Oct 14 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Spokane?
About 174 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 23 to the median first fall frost on Oct 14 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Washington lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Coeur d'Alene, ID 30 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 27 – May 18
- Missoula, MT 170 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 10 – May 27
- Helena, MT 264 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 7 – Jun 6
- Meridian, ID 284 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 5 – May 7