Billings, MT Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Billings between Apr 30 and May 15. The best time to overseed is between Jul 31 and Sep 19. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 30. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Billings
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Apr 30 – May 15 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 8 – Jun 12 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Jul 31 – Sep 19 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 20 – Oct 29 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Billings. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Billings
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyOverseeding & seeding
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Billings 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 73°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 30.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25°F | 24°F | 36°F | 44°F | 55°F | 65°F | 73°F | 72°F | 63°F | 49°F | 38°F | 29°F |
Billings lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Billings reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 20 (2019) and as late as May 5 (2022): 15 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 30) and first fall frost (Oct 14), the growing season lasts about 167 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 30 | Apr 19 | Oct 21 |
| 2024 | Apr 26 | May 5 | Oct 23 |
| 2023 | Apr 29 | Apr 28 | Oct 14 |
| 2022 | May 5 | Apr 25 | Oct 24 |
| 2021 | Apr 30 | May 22 | Oct 14 |
| 2020 | Apr 23 | May 8 | Oct 17 |
| 2019 | Apr 20 | May 9 | Sep 30 |
| 2018 | Apr 28 | Apr 25 | Oct 1 |
| 2017 | May 4 | Apr 29 | Oct 4 |
| 2016 | May 4 | Apr 29 | Oct 7 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Billings. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Billings?
In a typical year, between Apr 30 and May 15. 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 Billings?
Early fall, typically Jul 31 – Sep 19, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Billings?
The median last spring frost is Apr 30 and the median first fall frost is Oct 14 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Billings?
About 167 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 30 to the median first fall frost on Oct 14 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More Montana lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Sheridan, WY 101 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 8 – Jun 1
- Casper, WY 228 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 12 – May 29
- Idaho Falls, ID 235 miles away · crabgrass preventer May 3 – Jun 6
- Pocatello, ID 280 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 29 – May 22