LawnWeather

Wisconsin Lawn Care Calendar

In Wisconsin, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Apr 20 and May 23: first in Madison, last in Green Bay. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Appleton and La Crosse, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Wisconsin

Typically between Apr 20 and May 23, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Madison (around Apr 20) and last in Green Bay (around May 4). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
MadisonApr 20 – May 16
La CrosseApr 20 – May 10
MilwaukeeApr 21 – May 22
Eau ClaireApr 23 – May 15
AppletonApr 27 – May 20
Green BayMay 4 – May 23

Cool-season lawn calendar

Lawns across Wisconsin are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

CitySpring fertilizerOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
MilwaukeeMay 15 – Jun 19Aug 18 – Oct 7Aug 25 – Nov 2
MadisonMay 9 – Jun 13Aug 2 – Sep 21Aug 7 – Oct 29
Green BayMay 16 – Jun 20Aug 5 – Sep 24Jul 22 – Oct 26
Eau ClaireMay 8 – Jun 12Aug 1 – Sep 20Aug 4 – Oct 29
AppletonMay 13 – Jun 17Aug 2 – Sep 21Aug 9 – Oct 26
La CrosseMay 3 – Jun 7Aug 11 – Sep 30Sep 3 – Nov 1

Frost dates in Wisconsin

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
MilwaukeeApr 24Nov 1
MadisonApr 29Oct 16
Green BayMay 4Oct 19
Eau ClaireMay 3Oct 15
AppletonMay 3Oct 16
La CrosseApr 20Oct 25

Median dates, 2016–2025. A dash means frost does not occur in most years.

Frequently asked questions

When should I put down pre-emergent in Wisconsin?

Typically between Apr 20 and May 23, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Madison (around Apr 20) and last in Green Bay (around May 4). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Wisconsin?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 1 to Oct 7 across Wisconsin, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in Wisconsin?

Most lawns in Wisconsin are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

Lawn care guides

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