Toms River, NJ Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Toms River between Apr 12 and May 6. The best time to overseed is between Aug 19 and Oct 8. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 14. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Toms River
| 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 12 – May 6 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Apr 29 – Jun 3 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 19 – Oct 8 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 16 – Nov 19 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Toms River. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Toms River
- 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
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- 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 Toms River 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 77°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 12.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34°F | 37°F | 42°F | 52°F | 61°F | 70°F | 77°F | 75°F | 69°F | 59°F | 47°F | 38°F |
Toms River lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Toms River reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Mar 15 (2024) and as late as Apr 30 (2020): 46 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 14) and first fall frost (Nov 2), the growing season lasts about 202 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 30 | Apr 9 | Nov 7 |
| 2024 | Mar 15 | Apr 22 | Oct 28 |
| 2023 | Apr 12 | Apr 10 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Mar 19 | Apr 18 | Oct 19 |
| 2021 | Mar 26 | Apr 3 | Nov 6 |
| 2020 | Apr 30 | Apr 23 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | Apr 13 | Apr 2 | Nov 2 |
| 2018 | Apr 25 | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
| 2017 | Apr 11 | Apr 9 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Apr 19 | Apr 17 | Oct 26 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Toms River. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Toms River?
In a typical year, between Apr 12 and May 6. 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 Toms River?
Early fall, typically Aug 19 – Oct 8, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Toms River?
The median last spring frost is Apr 14 and the median first fall frost is Nov 2 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Toms River?
About 202 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 14 to the median first fall frost on Nov 2 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More New Jersey lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Philadelphia, PA 51 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 30 – Apr 20
- New York City, NY 53 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 11 – May 2
- Hempstead, NY 61 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 12 – May 6
- Wilmington, DE 73 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 30 – Apr 24