LawnWeather

Modesto, CA Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Modesto between Feb 3 and Mar 9. The best time to overseed is between Sep 21 and Nov 10. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 4. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Modesto

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Feb 3 – Mar 9
Spring fertilizer
Mar 2 – Apr 6
Overseeding & seeding
Sep 21 – Nov 10
Fall fertilizer
from Sep 29
Light band: typical frost-free season. Bars: typical windows.
TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens.Feb 3 – Mar 9
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.Mar 2 – Apr 6
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Sep 21 – Nov 10
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.from Sep 29

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Modesto

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
  3. MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  4. AprilSpring fertilizer
  5. MayNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  6. JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  7. JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  8. AugustNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberOverseeding & seeding
  11. NovemberOverseeding & seeding
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Modesto by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 49°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 3.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
49°F52°F55°F61°F67°F74°F79°F78°F74°F66°F56°F49°F

Modesto lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Modesto reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 16 (2016) and as late as Mar 12 (2023): 55 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 (Feb 4) and first fall frost (Dec 5), the growing season lasts about 304 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Feb 3——
2024Jan 20——
2023Mar 12Feb 1—
2022Feb 9Feb 27Dec 3
2021Feb 10Jan 27—
2020Jan 25Feb 6Nov 10
2019Jan 17Feb 24Dec 29
2018Mar 8Feb 25Nov 12
2017Feb 3Jan 7Dec 7
2016Jan 16Jan 1Dec 18

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

Growing warm-season grass in Modesto?

TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Feb 3 – Mar 9
FertilizerMay 2 – Oct 11
Seeding, sodding & pluggingMay 2 – Aug 29
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Sep 29 – Oct 20

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Modesto?

In a typical year, between Feb 3 and Mar 9. 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 Modesto?

Early fall, typically Sep 21 – Nov 10, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Modesto?

The median last spring frost is Feb 4 and the median first fall frost is Dec 5 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Modesto?

About 304 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 4 to the median first fall frost on Dec 5 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More California lawn calendars

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