LawnWeather

Kentucky Lawn Care Calendar

In Kentucky, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Mar 8 and Apr 14: first in Bowling Green, last in Lexington. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in Kentucky

Typically between Mar 8 and Apr 14, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Bowling Green (around Mar 8) and last in Lexington (around Mar 12). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
Bowling GreenMar 8 – Apr 7
LouisvilleMar 11 – Apr 7
OwensboroMar 11 – Apr 10
PaducahMar 11 – Apr 4
LexingtonMar 12 – Apr 14

Cool-season lawn calendar

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

CitySpring fertilizerOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
LouisvilleMar 31 – May 5Aug 20 – Oct 9Sep 24 – Nov 23
LexingtonApr 7 – May 12Aug 19 – Oct 8Sep 14 – Nov 18
Bowling GreenMar 31 – May 5Aug 19 – Oct 8Sep 22 – Nov 23
OwensboroApr 3 – May 8Aug 24 – Oct 13Sep 24 – Nov 21
PaducahMar 28 – May 2Aug 19 – Oct 8Sep 22 – Nov 23

Frost dates in Kentucky

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
LouisvilleApr 6Nov 3
LexingtonApr 15Nov 2
Bowling GreenApr 3Nov 2
OwensboroApr 5Nov 7
PaducahApr 1Nov 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 Kentucky?

Typically between Mar 8 and Apr 14, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Bowling Green (around Mar 8) and last in Lexington (around Mar 12). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in Kentucky?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 19 to Oct 13 across Kentucky, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in Kentucky?

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

Lawn care guides

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