Vancouver, WA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Vancouver between Apr 4 and May 9. The best time to overseed is between Sep 9 and Oct 29. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 19. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Vancouver
| 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 4 – May 9 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 2 – Jun 6 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Sep 9 – Oct 29 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Jul 17 – Nov 24 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Vancouver. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Vancouver
- 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
- AugustFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Vancouver 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 71°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 4.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41°F | 42°F | 46°F | 52°F | 58°F | 64°F | 70°F | 71°F | 65°F | 56°F | 48°F | 42°F |
Vancouver lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Vancouver reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 17 (2024) and as late as Apr 24 (2023): 38 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 19) and first fall frost (Nov 23), the growing season lasts about 249 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 25 | Feb 15 | Dec 30 |
| 2024 | Mar 17 | Mar 8 | Dec 1 |
| 2023 | Apr 24 | Mar 17 | Nov 25 |
| 2022 | Mar 26 | Apr 7 | Nov 10 |
| 2021 | Apr 15 | Apr 12 | Nov 21 |
| 2020 | Apr 9 | Mar 18 | Oct 26 |
| 2019 | Mar 19 | Mar 12 | Oct 28 |
| 2018 | Apr 7 | Apr 4 | Nov 9 |
| 2017 | Apr 18 | Mar 20 | Dec 6 |
| 2016 | Mar 31 | Mar 18 | Dec 7 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Vancouver. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Vancouver?
In a typical year, between Apr 4 and May 9. 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 Vancouver?
Early fall, typically Sep 9 – Oct 29, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Vancouver?
The median last spring frost is Mar 19 and the median first fall frost is Nov 23 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Vancouver?
About 249 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 19 to the median first fall frost on Nov 23 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Washington lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Portland, OR 8 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 5
- Salem, OR 52 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 9
- Eugene, OR 112 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 5 – May 13
- Bend, OR 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 7 – Jun 4