LawnWeather

Irvine, CA Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Irvine between Feb 2 and Feb 12. Seed or sod warm-season grass between May 2 and Jul 1. Frost is uncommon here. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).

Typical lawn care dates in Irvine

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Feb 2 – Feb 12
Fertilizer
May 2 – Sep 17
Seeding, sodding & plugging
May 2 – Jul 1
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
Sep 17 – Oct 8
TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens.Feb 2 – Feb 12
FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost.May 2 – Sep 17
Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost.May 2 – Jul 1
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F.Sep 17 – Oct 8

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Irvine

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  3. MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  4. AprilNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  5. MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  6. JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  7. JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
  8. AugustFertilizer
  9. SeptemberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
  10. OctoberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
  11. NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Irvine by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 57°F and peaks in August at 74°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 2.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
57°F57°F59°F62°F64°F68°F72°F74°F73°F69°F63°F58°F

Irvine lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Irvine reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 10 (2024) and as late as Mar 5 (2023): 54 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 1——
2024Jan 10——
2023Mar 5——
2022Feb 26——
2021Jan 28——
2020Jan 18——
2019Feb 25——
2018Feb 25——
2017Jan 26——
2016Feb 3——

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

Growing cool-season grass in Irvine?

TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Feb 2 – Feb 12
Spring fertilizerFeb 5 – Mar 12
Overseeding & seeding—
Fall fertilizerfrom Sep 19

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Irvine?

In a typical year, between Feb 2 and Feb 12. 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 Irvine?

Once soil stays above 65°F, typically May 2 – Jul 1, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.

When is the last frost in Irvine?

Frost does not occur in most years in Irvine.

How long is the growing season in Irvine?

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

Lawn care guides

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

More California lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states