LawnWeather

Stockton, CA Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Stockton between Feb 3 and Mar 14. The best time to overseed is between Sep 23 and Nov 12. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 13. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Stockton

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Feb 3 – Mar 14
Spring fertilizer
Mar 7 – Apr 11
Overseeding & seeding
Sep 23 – Nov 12
Fall fertilizer
from Sep 22
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 14
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.Mar 7 – Apr 11
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Sep 23 – Nov 12
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.from Sep 22

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Stockton

  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 Stockton by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in December at 48°F and peaks in July at 76°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 3.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
49°F51°F54°F60°F66°F72°F76°F76°F73°F66°F55°F48°F

Stockton lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Stockton reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 17 (2016) and as late as Mar 12 (2023): 54 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 13) and first fall frost (Dec 7), the growing season lasts about 297 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Feb 15——
2024Jan 18——
2023Mar 12Feb 19—
2022Feb 9Feb 27Nov 18
2021Feb 1Jan 27Dec 12
2020Jan 25Feb 6Nov 10
2019Jan 17Feb 24Dec 29
2018Mar 8Feb 25Nov 11
2017Feb 4Jan 30Dec 7
2016Jan 17Jan 2Dec 18

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

Growing warm-season grass in Stockton?

TaskTypical window
Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Feb 3 – Mar 14
FertilizerMay 8 – Oct 13
Seeding, sodding & pluggingMay 8 – Sep 1
Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Sep 22 – Oct 13

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Stockton?

In a typical year, between Feb 3 and Mar 14. 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 Stockton?

Early fall, typically Sep 23 – Nov 12, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Stockton?

The median last spring frost is Feb 13 and the median first fall frost is Dec 7 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Stockton?

About 297 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 13 to the median first fall frost on Dec 7 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More California lawn calendars

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