LawnWeather

Kansas Lawn Care Calendar

In Kansas, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Mar 20 and May 1: first in Wichita, last in Garden City. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka, Garden City, Olathe and Lawrence, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Kansas

Typically between Mar 20 and May 1, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Wichita (around Mar 20) and last in Garden City (around Apr 7). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
WichitaMar 20 – Apr 14
Overland ParkMar 21 – Apr 17
TopekaMar 21 – Apr 21
OlatheMar 21 – Apr 19
LawrenceMar 21 – Apr 23
Garden CityApr 7 – May 1

Cool-season lawn calendar

Lawns across Kansas are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

CitySpring fertilizerOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
WichitaApr 7 – May 12Aug 15 – Oct 4Sep 28 – Nov 11
Overland ParkApr 10 – May 15Aug 14 – Oct 3Sep 18 – Nov 11
TopekaApr 14 – May 19Aug 14 – Oct 3Sep 11 – Nov 11
Garden CityApr 24 – May 29Aug 2 – Sep 21Sep 23 – Nov 10
OlatheApr 12 – May 17Aug 14 – Oct 3Sep 18 – Nov 11
LawrenceApr 16 – May 21Aug 14 – Oct 3Sep 11 – Nov 11

Frost dates in Kansas

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
WichitaApr 11Oct 29
Overland ParkApr 12Oct 28
TopekaApr 15Oct 28
Garden CityApr 21Oct 16
OlatheApr 12Oct 28
LawrenceApr 15Oct 28

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 Kansas?

Typically between Mar 20 and May 1, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Wichita (around Mar 20) and last in Garden City (around Apr 7). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Kansas?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 2 to Oct 4 across Kansas, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in Kansas?

Most lawns in Kansas are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

Lawn care guides

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