Parkersburg, WV Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Parkersburg between Mar 19 and Apr 22. The best time to overseed is between Aug 18 and Oct 7. 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 Parkersburg
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 15 – May 20 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 18 – Oct 7 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 13 – Nov 13 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Parkersburg. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Parkersburg
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MaySpring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Parkersburg by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 32°F and peaks in July at 77°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 19.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32°F | 37°F | 44°F | 53°F | 64°F | 72°F | 77°F | 75°F | 70°F | 58°F | 45°F | 37°F |
Parkersburg lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Parkersburg reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 21 (2018) and as late as Apr 13 (2022): 51 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 (Nov 1), the growing season lasts about 192 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 13 | Apr 17 | Oct 24 |
| 2024 | Mar 5 | Apr 22 | Oct 17 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 25 | Oct 31 |
| 2022 | Apr 13 | Apr 28 | Oct 9 |
| 2021 | Mar 24 | Apr 23 | Nov 3 |
| 2020 | Mar 27 | May 10 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 7 | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Feb 21 | Apr 30 | Oct 22 |
| 2017 | Feb 22 | Apr 8 | Nov 10 |
| 2016 | Mar 10 | Apr 14 | Nov 10 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Parkersburg. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Parkersburg?
In a typical year, between Mar 19 and Apr 22. 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 Parkersburg?
Early fall, typically Aug 18 – Oct 7, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Parkersburg?
The median last spring frost is Apr 23 and the median first fall frost is Nov 1 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Parkersburg?
About 192 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 23 to the median first fall frost on Nov 1 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More West Virginia lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Columbus, OH 90 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 25 – Apr 26
- Pittsburgh, PA 116 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 6 – Apr 26
- Akron, OH 125 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 13 – Apr 27
- Dayton, OH 144 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 28 – Apr 21