Baton Rouge, LA Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Baton Rouge between Jan 29 and Feb 16. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 8 and Sep 23. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 22. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Baton Rouge
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Jan 29 – Feb 16 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Mar 8 – Oct 24 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Mar 8 – Sep 23 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 23 – Nov 13 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Baton Rouge. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Baton Rouge
- JanuaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- SeptemberFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Baton Rouge by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 52°F and peaks in July at 84°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Jan 29.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52°F | 57°F | 64°F | 68°F | 76°F | 82°F | 84°F | 84°F | 80°F | 72°F | 62°F | 56°F |
Baton Rouge lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Baton Rouge reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 11 (2017) and as late as Feb 25 (2021): 45 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 (Feb 22) and first fall frost (Nov 24), the growing season lasts about 275 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 29 | Feb 22 | Dec 15 |
| 2024 | Jan 24 | Feb 19 | — |
| 2023 | Jan 29 | Mar 21 | Dec 30 |
| 2022 | Feb 16 | Mar 14 | Dec 23 |
| 2021 | Feb 25 | Feb 21 | — |
| 2020 | Jan 26 | Feb 23 | — |
| 2019 | Feb 2 | Mar 7 | Nov 13 |
| 2018 | Jan 27 | Jan 20 | Nov 15 |
| 2017 | Jan 11 | Jan 9 | Nov 24 |
| 2016 | Jan 30 | Feb 8 | Nov 21 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Baton Rouge. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Baton Rouge?
In a typical year, between Jan 29 and Feb 16. 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 Baton Rouge?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 8 – Sep 23, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Baton Rouge?
The median last spring frost is Feb 22 and the median first fall frost is Nov 24 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Baton Rouge?
About 275 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 22 to the median first fall frost on Nov 24 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
- When to apply pre-emergent
- Lawn fertilizer schedule
- Cool-season vs. warm-season grass
- Soil temperature for lawns
- Fall lawn care checklist
Growing vegetables too? See the Baton Rouge planting calendarfor when to start seeds and plant outside.
More Louisiana lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Gulfport, MS 125 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 30 – Feb 15
- Hattiesburg, MS 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 4 – Feb 25
- Jackson, MS 141 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 6 – Mar 1
- Beaumont, TX 177 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 31 – Feb 12