LawnWeather

Frederick, MD Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Frederick between Mar 27 and Apr 19. The best time to overseed is between Aug 22 and Oct 11. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 6. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Frederick

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Mar 27 – Apr 19
Spring fertilizer
Apr 12 – May 17
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 22 – Oct 11
Fall fertilizer
Sep 20 – Nov 20
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 27 – 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.Aug 22 – Oct 11
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Sep 20 – Nov 20

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Frederick

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

Soil temperature in Frederick by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 35°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 27.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
35°F38°F45°F55°F63°F73°F79°F77°F70°F60°F47°F38°F

Frederick lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Frederick reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 10 (2016) and as late as Apr 24 (2018): 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 (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Nov 5), the growing season lasts about 213 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 16Apr 9Nov 7
2024Mar 14Mar 25Nov 13
2023Apr 4Mar 21Nov 2
2022Mar 19Apr 11Nov 15
2021Mar 25Apr 3Nov 3
2020Mar 28May 10Nov 19
2019Apr 8Apr 3Nov 2
2018Apr 24Apr 21Oct 25
2017Apr 10Mar 24Nov 11
2016Mar 10Apr 14Oct 26

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Frederick?

In a typical year, between Mar 27 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 Frederick?

Early fall, typically Aug 22 – Oct 11, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Frederick?

The median last spring frost is Apr 6 and the median first fall frost is Nov 5 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Frederick?

About 213 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 6 to the median first fall frost on Nov 5 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More Maryland lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states