Grand Junction, CO Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Grand Junction between Apr 6 and May 1. The best time to overseed is between Aug 11 and Sep 30. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 21. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Grand Junction

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Apr 6 – May 1
Spring fertilizer
Apr 24 – May 29
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 11 – Sep 30
Fall fertilizer
Sep 15 – Nov 3
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.Apr 6 – May 1
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.Apr 24 – May 29
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 11 – Sep 30
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Sep 15 – Nov 3

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Grand Junction

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  3. MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  4. AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  5. MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  6. JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  7. JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  8. AugustOverseeding & seeding
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Grand Junction by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 29°F and peaks in July at 80°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 6.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
29°F35°F44°F52°F62°F74°F80°F78°F70°F55°F43°F33°F

Grand Junction lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Grand Junction reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 15 (2017) and as late as Apr 13 (2024): 29 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 (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 25), the growing season lasts about 187 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 26Apr 20Oct 29
2024Apr 13May 8Nov 6
2023Apr 11Apr 22Oct 29
2022Mar 27Apr 25Oct 24
2021Apr 3Apr 21Oct 16
2020Apr 6Apr 18Oct 25
2019Apr 5Apr 13Oct 11
2018Apr 7Apr 19Oct 15
2017Mar 15May 1Oct 10
2016Apr 8Apr 20Nov 16

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Grand Junction?

In a typical year, between Apr 6 and May 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 Grand Junction?

Early fall, typically Aug 11 – Sep 30, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Grand Junction?

The median last spring frost is Apr 21 and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Grand Junction?

About 187 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 21 to the median first fall frost on Oct 25 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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