Jackson, MS Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Jackson between Feb 6 and Mar 1. Seed or sod warm-season grass between Mar 18 and Aug 30. The last spring frost usually comes around Feb 28. Most lawns here are warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede).
Typical lawn care dates in Jackson
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Feb 6 – Mar 1 |
| FertilizerFeed after green-up once soil stays above 65°F; stop about 6 weeks before the first frost. | Mar 18 – Oct 2 |
| Seeding, sodding & pluggingWarm-season grass needs soil above 65°F and about 10 weeks to establish before frost. | Mar 18 – Aug 30 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds)Stops annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and winter weeds; apply as soil drops below 70°F. | Oct 17 – Nov 7 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Jackson. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Jackson
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)FertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AprilFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- MayFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JuneFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- JulyFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- AugustFertilizerSeeding, sodding & plugging
- SeptemberFertilizer
- OctoberFertilizerFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- NovemberFall pre-emergent (winter weeds)
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Jackson by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 47°F and peaks in July at 83°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Feb 6.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47°F | 52°F | 59°F | 65°F | 73°F | 80°F | 83°F | 83°F | 79°F | 69°F | 57°F | 51°F |
Jackson lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Jackson reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 12 (2017) and as late as Feb 25 (2021): 44 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 (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Nov 13), the growing season lasts about 258 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jan 31 | Feb 22 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Feb 2 | Mar 20 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Feb 8 | Mar 21 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Feb 22 | Mar 14 | Oct 19 |
| 2021 | Feb 25 | Feb 22 | Nov 20 |
| 2020 | Feb 10 | Feb 28 | Dec 1 |
| 2019 | Feb 4 | Mar 7 | Nov 9 |
| 2018 | Feb 14 | Feb 9 | Nov 15 |
| 2017 | Jan 12 | Feb 5 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Jan 31 | Feb 28 | Nov 20 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Jackson. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Jackson?
In a typical year, between Feb 6 and Mar 1. 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 Jackson?
Once soil stays above 65°F, typically Mar 18 – Aug 30, leaving about 10 weeks before the first frost.
When is the last frost in Jackson?
The median last spring frost is Feb 28 and the median first fall frost is Nov 13 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Jackson?
About 258 days, from the median last spring frost on Feb 28 to the median first fall frost on Nov 13 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Mississippi lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Monroe, LA 114 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 6 – Mar 1
- Baton Rouge, LA 141 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 29 – Feb 16
- New Orleans, LA 163 miles away · crabgrass preventer Jan 27 – Feb 9
- Tuscaloosa, AL 164 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 6 – Mar 6