LawnWeather

Georgia Lawn Care Calendar

In Georgia, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Jan 27 and Mar 12: first in Valdosta, last in Alpharetta. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Savannah, Columbus, Athens, Marietta, Alpharetta, Albany and Valdosta, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Georgia

Typically between Jan 27 and Mar 12, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Valdosta (around Jan 27) and last in Alpharetta (around Feb 22). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
ValdostaJan 27 – Feb 10
SavannahJan 28 – Feb 14
AlbanyFeb 1 – Feb 16
ColumbusFeb 2 – Mar 2
AugustaFeb 5 – Mar 1
MaconFeb 9 – Mar 2
AthensFeb 13 – Mar 12
AtlantaFeb 16 – Mar 12
MariettaFeb 22 – Mar 12
AlpharettaFeb 22 – Mar 12

Warm-season lawn calendar

Lawns across Georgia are mostly warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).

CityFertilizerSeeding, sodding & pluggingFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
AtlantaApr 27 – Oct 9Apr 27 – Sep 6Oct 9 – Oct 30
AugustaMar 27 – Oct 10Mar 27 – Sep 7Oct 12 – Nov 2
MaconMar 30 – Oct 3Mar 30 – Aug 31Oct 12 – Nov 2
SavannahMar 21 – Oct 18Mar 21 – Sep 17Oct 13 – Nov 3
ColumbusMar 28 – Oct 4Mar 28 – Sep 1Oct 17 – Nov 7
AthensApr 21 – Oct 8Apr 21 – Sep 5Oct 5 – Oct 26
MariettaApr 28 – Oct 1Apr 28 – Aug 29Oct 5 – Oct 26
AlpharettaApr 29 – Sep 29Apr 29 – Aug 27Sep 28 – Oct 19
AlbanyMar 14 – Oct 8Mar 14 – Sep 5Oct 18 – Nov 8
ValdostaMar 9 – Oct 21Mar 9 – Sep 18Oct 18 – Nov 8

Frost dates in Georgia

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
AtlantaMar 8Nov 20
AugustaMar 11Nov 21
MaconMar 12Nov 14
SavannahFeb 10Nov 29
ColumbusMar 4Nov 15
AthensMar 16Nov 19
MariettaMar 19Nov 12
AlpharettaMar 23Nov 10
AlbanyMar 4Nov 19
ValdostaFeb 23Dec 2

Median dates, 2016–2025. A dash means frost does not occur in most years.

Frequently asked questions

When should I put down pre-emergent in Georgia?

Typically between Jan 27 and Mar 12, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Valdosta (around Jan 27) and last in Alpharetta (around Feb 22). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Georgia?

Seed or sod warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede) once soil stays above 65°F: typically from Mar 9, finishing about 10 weeks before the first fall frost.

What type of grass grows in Georgia?

Most lawns in Georgia are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).

Lawn care guides

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