LawnWeather

Atlantic City, NJ Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Atlantic City between Apr 8 and Apr 29. The best time to overseed is between Sep 9 and Oct 29. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 28. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Atlantic City

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Apr 8 – Apr 29
Spring fertilizer
Apr 22 – May 27
Overseeding & seeding
Sep 9 – Oct 29
Fall fertilizer
Sep 22 – Nov 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.Apr 8 – Apr 29
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.Apr 22 – May 27
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Sep 9 – Oct 29
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Sep 22 – Nov 27

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Atlantic City

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  3. MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  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. AugustNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Atlantic City by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 37°F and peaks in July at 77°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 8.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
37°F39°F44°F52°F60°F70°F77°F76°F72°F62°F51°F41°F

Atlantic City lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Atlantic City reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 14 (2024) and as late as Apr 26 (2018): 43 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 (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 23), the growing season lasts about 240 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Mar 30Mar 9Nov 29
2024Mar 14Mar 24Nov 30
2023Apr 12Mar 20Nov 25
2022Mar 19Mar 31Nov 21
2021Mar 26Apr 3Nov 24
2020Apr 7Mar 2Nov 19
2019Apr 8Apr 1Nov 9
2018Apr 26Apr 11Nov 11
2017Apr 10Mar 24Nov 11
2016Apr 19Apr 10Nov 23

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Atlantic City?

In a typical year, between Apr 8 and Apr 29. 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 Atlantic City?

Early fall, typically Sep 9 – Oct 29, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Atlantic City?

The median last spring frost is Mar 28 and the median first fall frost is Nov 23 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Atlantic City?

About 240 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 28 to the median first fall frost on Nov 23 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More New Jersey lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states