Newark, NJ Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Newark between Apr 11 and May 2. The best time to overseed is between Aug 29 and Oct 18. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 1. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Newark
| 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 11 – May 2 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 25 – May 30 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 29 – Oct 18 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 17 – Nov 21 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Newark. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Newark
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Newark by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 34°F and peaks in July at 79°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 11.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34°F | 36°F | 43°F | 52°F | 62°F | 72°F | 79°F | 77°F | 71°F | 60°F | 47°F | 37°F |
Newark lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Newark reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 19 (2022) and as late as Apr 24 (2018): 36 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 1) and first fall frost (Nov 12), the growing season lasts about 225 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 18 | Apr 10 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Apr 10 | Mar 25 | Nov 30 |
| 2023 | Apr 5 | Mar 31 | Nov 13 |
| 2022 | Mar 19 | Mar 31 | Nov 15 |
| 2021 | Mar 26 | Apr 3 | Nov 20 |
| 2020 | Apr 6 | Mar 17 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 13 | Apr 2 | Nov 8 |
| 2018 | Apr 24 | Apr 11 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Apr 10 | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Apr 17 | Apr 11 | Nov 28 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Newark. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Newark?
In a typical year, between Apr 11 and May 2. 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 Newark?
Early fall, typically Aug 29 – Oct 18, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Newark?
The median last spring frost is Apr 1 and the median first fall frost is Nov 12 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Newark?
About 225 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 1 to the median first fall frost on Nov 12 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More New Jersey lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- New York City, NY 9 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 11 – May 2
- Hempstead, NY 29 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 12 – May 6
- Stamford, CT 39 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 14 – May 7
- Allentown, PA 70 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 10 – May 2