Evansville, IN Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Evansville between Mar 12 and Apr 13. The best time to overseed is between Aug 24 and Oct 13. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 3. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Evansville

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Mar 12 – Apr 13
Spring fertilizer
Apr 6 – May 11
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 24 – Oct 13
Fall fertilizer
Sep 25 – Nov 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.Mar 12 – Apr 13
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.Apr 6 – May 11
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 24 – Oct 13
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Sep 25 – Nov 22

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Evansville

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

Soil temperature in Evansville by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 34°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 12.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
34°F38°F47°F56°F67°F76°F79°F77°F73°F62°F47°F39°F

Evansville lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Evansville reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Feb 21 (2017) and as late as Apr 22 (2018): 60 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 3) and first fall frost (Nov 7), the growing season lasts about 218 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 12Apr 9Nov 10
2024Mar 5Mar 28Nov 26
2023Feb 28Mar 29Oct 31
2022Apr 11Apr 3Oct 20
2021Mar 11Apr 3Nov 3
2020Mar 27Apr 16Nov 2
2019Apr 5Apr 2Nov 1
2018Apr 22Apr 17Nov 10
2017Feb 21Mar 20Nov 10
2016Mar 9Apr 10Nov 13

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Evansville?

In a typical year, between Mar 12 and Apr 13. 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 Evansville?

Early fall, typically Aug 24 – Oct 13, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Evansville?

The median last spring frost is Apr 3 and the median first fall frost is Nov 7 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Evansville?

About 218 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 3 to the median first fall frost on Nov 7 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

More Indiana lawn calendars

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