LawnWeather

Lewiston, ME Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Lewiston between May 11 and May 24. The best time to overseed is between Jul 30 and Sep 18. The last spring frost usually comes around May 4. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Lewiston

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
May 11 – May 24
Spring fertilizer
May 17 – Jun 21
Overseeding & seeding
Jul 30 – Sep 18
Fall fertilizer
Aug 4 – Nov 4
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.May 11 – May 24
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 17 – Jun 21
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Jul 30 – Sep 18
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Aug 4 – Nov 4

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Lewiston

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  3. MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  4. AprilNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  5. MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  6. JuneSpring fertilizer
  7. JulyOverseeding & seeding
  8. AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Lewiston by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 23°F and peaks in July at 71°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 11.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
23°F24°F32°F43°F54°F64°F71°F69°F63°F52°F38°F27°F

Lewiston lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Lewiston reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 14 (2023) and as late as May 19 (2019): 35 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 (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 13), the growing season lasts about 162 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Apr 25Apr 21Oct 10
2024May 6Apr 27Oct 17
2023Apr 14May 18Oct 24
2022May 11May 9Oct 3
2021May 10May 7Oct 24
2020May 16May 6Sep 20
2019May 19Apr 29Oct 5
2018May 3May 12Oct 14
2017May 17Apr 19Oct 13
2016May 11Apr 30Oct 11

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Lewiston?

In a typical year, between May 11 and May 24. 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 Lewiston?

Early fall, typically Jul 30 – Sep 18, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Lewiston?

The median last spring frost is May 4 and the median first fall frost is Oct 13 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Lewiston?

About 162 days, from the median last spring frost on May 4 to the median first fall frost on Oct 13 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

Growing vegetables too? See the Lewiston planting calendarfor when to start seeds and plant outside.

More Maine lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states