Tacoma, WA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Tacoma between Apr 17 and May 16. The best time to overseed is between Aug 27 and Oct 16. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 21. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Tacoma
| 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 17 – May 16 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 9 – Jun 13 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 27 – Oct 16 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 16 – Nov 10 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Tacoma. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Tacoma
- 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 Tacoma by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 41°F and peaks in August at 67°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 17.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41°F | 41°F | 44°F | 49°F | 56°F | 60°F | 66°F | 67°F | 62°F | 53°F | 46°F | 41°F |
Tacoma lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Tacoma reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 29 (2024) and as late as May 4 (2017): 95 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 21) and first fall frost (Nov 10), the growing season lasts about 234 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 26 | Mar 19 | Nov 30 |
| 2024 | Jan 29 | Mar 15 | Dec 1 |
| 2023 | Apr 27 | Mar 28 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | May 1 | Apr 13 | Nov 10 |
| 2021 | Apr 16 | Apr 12 | Nov 18 |
| 2020 | Apr 17 | Apr 14 | Nov 8 |
| 2019 | Mar 20 | Mar 12 | Oct 10 |
| 2018 | Apr 24 | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
| 2017 | May 4 | Mar 20 | Nov 7 |
| 2016 | Apr 1 | Feb 3 | Dec 7 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Tacoma. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Tacoma?
In a typical year, between Apr 17 and May 16. 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 Tacoma?
Early fall, typically Aug 27 – Oct 16, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Tacoma?
The median last spring frost is Mar 21 and the median first fall frost is Nov 10 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Tacoma?
About 234 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 21 to the median first fall frost on Nov 10 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Washington lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Portland, OR 120 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 5
- Salem, OR 162 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 9
- Eugene, OR 223 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 5 – May 13
- Bend, OR 227 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 7 – Jun 4