LawnWeather

Bakersfield, CA Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Bakersfield between Jan 25 and Mar 1. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Apr 23 and Sep 30. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 17. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).

Typical lawn care dates in Bakersfield

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Jan 25 – Mar 1
Fertilizer
Apr 23 – Oct 22
Seeding, sodding & plugging
Apr 23 – Sep 30
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
Oct 8 – Oct 29
TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens.Jan 25 – Mar 1
FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost.Apr 23 – Oct 22
Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost.Apr 23 – Sep 30
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F.Oct 8 – Oct 29

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Bakersfield

  1. JanuaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  2. FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  3. MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  4. AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  5. MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  6. JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  7. JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  8. AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  9. SeptemberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  10. OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
  11. NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Bakersfield by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 50°F and peaks in July at 85°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Jan 25.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
50°F53°F57°F63°F70°F79°F85°F85°F79°F68°F58°F50°F

Bakersfield lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Bakersfield reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 8 (2019) and as late as Mar 11 (2023): 62 days apart. A fixed calendar date can't follow that, which is why the report above uses this year's soil temperature.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Feb 2——
2024Jan 18Jan 13—
2023Mar 11Feb 17—
2022Jan 17Feb 26Dec 22
2021Feb 1——
2020Feb 13Feb 6Dec 22
2019Jan 8Feb 24—
2018Mar 7Feb 26Dec 29
2017Jan 9—Dec 5
2016Jan 14Jan 2Dec 18

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

Growing cool-season grass in Bakersfield?

TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Jan 25 – Mar 1
Spring fertilizerFeb 22 – Mar 29
Overseeding & seeding—
Fall fertilizerfrom Oct 8

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Bakersfield?

In a typical year, between Jan 25 and Mar 1. 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 Bakersfield?

Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Apr 23 – Sep 30, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.

When is the last frost in Bakersfield?

The median last spring frost is Feb 17 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Bakersfield?

Frost is uncommon in Bakersfield, so cool spells rather than freezes set the length of the season.

Lawn care guides

Growing vegetables too? See the Bakersfield planting calendarfor when to start seeds and plant outside.

More California lawn calendars

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