LawnWeather

Annapolis, MD Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Annapolis between Mar 24 and Apr 19. The best time to overseed is between Sep 6 and Oct 26. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 22. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Annapolis

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Mar 24 – Apr 19
Spring fertilizer
Apr 12 – May 17
Overseeding & seeding
Sep 6 – Oct 26
Fall fertilizer
Sep 22 – Nov 25
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 24 – Apr 19
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.Apr 12 – May 17
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Sep 6 – Oct 26
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Sep 22 – Nov 25

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Annapolis

  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. AugustNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Annapolis by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 37°F and peaks in July at 81°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 24.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
37°F39°F46°F56°F64°F74°F81°F78°F73°F62°F50°F40°F

Annapolis lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Annapolis reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 10 (2016) and as late as Apr 13 (2018): 34 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 (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 20), the growing season lasts about 243 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 29Mar 10Nov 11
2024Mar 13Mar 22Nov 30
2023Mar 24Mar 20Nov 29
2022Mar 19Mar 30Nov 21
2021Mar 24Apr 3Nov 20
2020Mar 11Mar 8Nov 19
2019Apr 4Mar 8Nov 9
2018Apr 13Mar 17Nov 11
2017Mar 28Mar 24Nov 11
2016Mar 10Apr 10Nov 23

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Annapolis?

In a typical year, between Mar 24 and Apr 19. 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 Annapolis?

Early fall, typically Sep 6 – Oct 26, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Annapolis?

The median last spring frost is Mar 22 and the median first fall frost is Nov 20 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Annapolis?

About 243 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 22 to the median first fall frost on Nov 20 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More Maryland lawn calendars

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