LawnWeather

Traverse City, MI Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Traverse City between May 6 and May 27. The best time to overseed is between Aug 13 and Oct 2. The last spring frost usually comes around May 9. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Traverse City

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
May 6 – May 27
Spring fertilizer
May 20 – Jun 24
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 13 – Oct 2
Fall fertilizer
Jul 20 – Oct 27
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 6 – May 27
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 20 – Jun 24
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 13 – Oct 2
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Jul 20 – Oct 27

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Traverse City

  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. JulyFall fertilizer
  8. AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Traverse City by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in February at 24°F and peaks in July at 71°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 6.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
25°F24°F32°F41°F54°F65°F71°F70°F64°F52°F39°F30°F

Traverse City lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Traverse City reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 7 (2021) and as late as May 19 (2020): 42 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 9) and first fall frost (Oct 27), the growing season lasts about 171 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025May 12May 9Oct 26
2024Apr 28Apr 26Nov 2
2023Apr 12May 4Oct 31
2022May 9Apr 29Oct 27
2021Apr 7May 13Nov 3
2020May 19May 13Oct 16
2019May 16May 14Oct 26
2018May 2May 11Oct 18
2017May 16May 9Oct 26
2016Apr 18Apr 27Nov 12

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Traverse City?

In a typical year, between May 6 and May 27. 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 Traverse City?

Early fall, typically Aug 13 – Oct 2, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Traverse City?

The median last spring frost is May 9 and the median first fall frost is Oct 27 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Traverse City?

About 171 days, from the median last spring frost on May 9 to the median first fall frost on Oct 27 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More Michigan lawn calendars

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