Yakima, WA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Yakima between Apr 18 and May 6. The best time to overseed is between Jul 31 and Sep 19. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 21. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Yakima
| 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 18 – May 6 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 29 – Jun 3 |
| 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 24 – Nov 1 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Yakima. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Yakima
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyOverseeding & seeding
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Yakima 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 74°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 18.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31°F | 35°F | 42°F | 50°F | 59°F | 66°F | 74°F | 73°F | 65°F | 52°F | 40°F | 33°F |
Yakima lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Yakima 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 21) and first fall frost (Oct 14), the growing season lasts about 176 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 25 | Apr 10 | Oct 15 |
| 2024 | Mar 19 | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
| 2023 | Apr 26 | Apr 21 | Oct 26 |
| 2022 | May 4 | May 11 | Oct 24 |
| 2021 | Apr 17 | Apr 21 | Oct 8 |
| 2020 | Apr 15 | May 5 | Oct 22 |
| 2019 | Apr 18 | May 2 | Oct 1 |
| 2018 | Apr 25 | Apr 23 | Oct 4 |
| 2017 | Apr 23 | Apr 16 | Oct 10 |
| 2016 | Apr 1 | Mar 29 | Oct 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Yakima. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Yakima?
In a typical year, between Apr 18 and May 6. 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 Yakima?
Early fall, typically Jul 31 – Sep 19, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Yakima?
The median last spring frost is Apr 21 and the median first fall frost is Oct 14 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Yakima?
About 176 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 21 to the median first fall frost on Oct 14 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Washington lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Portland, OR 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 5
- Salem, OR 167 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 1 – May 9
- Bend, OR 180 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 7 – Jun 4
- Coeur d'Alene, ID 191 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 27 – May 18