Massachusetts Lawn Care Calendar
In Massachusetts, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Apr 14 and May 22: first in Boston, last in Barnstable. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell and Barnstable, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.
When to apply pre-emergent in Massachusetts
Typically between Apr 14 and May 22, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Boston (around Apr 14) and last in Barnstable (around Apr 30). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.
| City | Crabgrass preventer window |
|---|---|
| Boston | Apr 14 – May 19 |
| Springfield | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Lowell | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Worcester | Apr 25 – May 13 |
| Barnstable | Apr 30 – May 22 |
Cool-season lawn calendar
Lawns across Massachusetts are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).
| City | Spring fertilizer | Overseeding & seeding | Fall fertilizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | May 12 – Jun 16 | Sep 1 – Oct 21 | Sep 6 – Nov 12 |
| Worcester | May 6 – Jun 10 | Aug 12 – Oct 1 | Aug 21 – Nov 9 |
| Springfield | Apr 30 – Jun 4 | Aug 17 – Oct 6 | Aug 30 – Nov 9 |
| Lowell | May 14 – Jun 18 | Aug 5 – Sep 24 | Aug 26 – Nov 8 |
| Barnstable | May 15 – Jun 19 | Aug 24 – Oct 13 | Aug 25 – Nov 17 |
Frost dates in Massachusetts
| City | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | Apr 3 | Nov 15 |
| Worcester | Apr 25 | Oct 26 |
| Springfield | Apr 22 | Oct 31 |
| Lowell | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| Barnstable | Apr 10 | Nov 7 |
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 Massachusetts?
Typically between Apr 14 and May 22, depending on where you live. The window opens first in Boston (around Apr 14) and last in Barnstable (around Apr 30). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.
When is the best time to seed grass in Massachusetts?
Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 5 to Oct 21 across Massachusetts, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
What type of grass grows in Massachusetts?
Most lawns in Massachusetts are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).
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