Huntington, WV Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Huntington between Mar 16 and Apr 14. The best time to overseed is between Aug 17 and Oct 6. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 20. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Huntington

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Mar 16 – Apr 14
Spring fertilizer
Apr 7 – May 12
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 17 – Oct 6
Fall fertilizer
Sep 16 – Nov 21
Light band: typical frost-free season. Bars: typical windows.
TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens.Mar 16 – Apr 14
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.Apr 7 – May 12
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 17 – Oct 6
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Sep 16 – Nov 21

Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Huntington. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.

Month-by-month lawn care in Huntington

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  3. MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  4. AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  5. MaySpring fertilizer
  6. JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  7. JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  8. AugustOverseeding & seeding
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Huntington by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 34°F and peaks in July at 78°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 16.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
34°F39°F46°F55°F65°F73°F78°F76°F71°F60°F47°F39°F

Huntington lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Huntington reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 20 (2018) and as late as Apr 5 (2019): 44 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 20) and first fall frost (Oct 31), the growing season lasts about 194 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 13Apr 10Nov 7
2024Mar 5Apr 22Oct 17
2023Mar 24Apr 25Nov 1
2022Mar 18Apr 20Oct 20
2021Mar 23Apr 23Nov 3
2020Mar 27May 9Oct 17
2019Apr 5Apr 3Nov 2
2018Feb 20Apr 20Oct 22
2017Feb 22Apr 8Oct 30
2016Mar 10Apr 11Nov 12

Estimated from daily temperatures for Huntington. A dash means it didn't happen that year.

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Huntington?

In a typical year, between Mar 16 and Apr 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 Huntington?

Early fall, typically Aug 17 – Oct 6, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Huntington?

The median last spring frost is Apr 20 and the median first fall frost is Oct 31 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Huntington?

About 194 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 20 to the median first fall frost on Oct 31 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

More West Virginia lawn calendars

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