Eau Claire, WI Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Eau Claire between Apr 23 and May 15. The best time to overseed is between Aug 1 and Sep 20. The last spring frost usually comes around May 3. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Eau Claire
| 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 23 – May 15 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 8 – Jun 12 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 1 – Sep 20 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 4 – Oct 29 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Eau Claire. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Eau Claire
- 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
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Eau Claire by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 17°F and peaks in July at 72°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 23.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17°F | 18°F | 32°F | 43°F | 57°F | 68°F | 72°F | 70°F | 64°F | 50°F | 36°F | 23°F |
Eau Claire lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Eau Claire reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 6 (2021) and as late as May 15 (2019): 39 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 (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 15), the growing season lasts about 165 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 28 | Apr 26 | Oct 8 |
| 2024 | Apr 14 | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | May 3 | Oct 28 |
| 2022 | May 7 | Apr 28 | Sep 28 |
| 2021 | Apr 6 | May 12 | Oct 22 |
| 2020 | Apr 27 | May 12 | Sep 18 |
| 2019 | May 15 | May 3 | Oct 14 |
| 2018 | May 1 | Apr 29 | Sep 29 |
| 2017 | Apr 16 | May 3 | Oct 28 |
| 2016 | Apr 16 | May 15 | Nov 10 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Eau Claire. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Eau Claire?
In a typical year, between Apr 23 and May 15. 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 Eau Claire?
Early fall, typically Aug 1 – Sep 20, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Eau Claire?
The median last spring frost is May 3 and the median first fall frost is Oct 15 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Eau Claire?
About 165 days, from the median last spring frost on May 3 to the median first fall frost on Oct 15 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Wisconsin lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Rochester, MN 72 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 16
- St. Paul, MN 78 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 21 – May 15
- Minneapolis, MN 87 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 15
- St. Cloud, MN 140 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 5 – May 16