LawnWeather

New York Lawn Care Calendar

In New York, crabgrass preventer typically goes down between Apr 11 and May 20: first in New York City, last in Buffalo. Below are typical fertilizer, seeding and frost dates for New York City, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Hempstead, from 2016–2025 weather data. Enter your ZIP code for this year's timing.

When to apply pre-emergent in New York

Typically between Apr 11 and May 20, depending on where you live. The window opens first in New York City (around Apr 11) and last in Buffalo (around Apr 28). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

CityCrabgrass preventer window
New York CityApr 11 – May 2
HempsteadApr 12 – May 6
AlbanyApr 19 – May 9
SyracuseApr 20 – May 9
RochesterApr 22 – May 22
BuffaloApr 28 – May 20

Cool-season lawn calendar

Lawns across New York are mostly cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

CitySpring fertilizerOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
New York CityApr 25 – May 30Sep 8 – Oct 28Sep 24 – Nov 25
AlbanyMay 2 – Jun 6Aug 11 – Sep 30Aug 27 – Nov 7
RochesterMay 15 – Jun 19Aug 20 – Oct 9Aug 20 – Nov 6
BuffaloMay 13 – Jun 17Aug 24 – Oct 13Aug 23 – Nov 9
SyracuseMay 2 – Jun 6Aug 18 – Oct 7Aug 27 – Nov 5
HempsteadApr 29 – Jun 3Sep 3 – Oct 23Sep 17 – Nov 21

Frost dates in New York

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frost
New York CityMar 31Nov 22
AlbanyApr 22Oct 25
RochesterApr 28Nov 3
BuffaloApr 27Nov 7
SyracuseApr 25Nov 1
HempsteadApr 1Nov 17

Median dates, 2016–2025. A dash means frost does not occur in most years.

Frequently asked questions

When should I put down pre-emergent in New York?

Typically between Apr 11 and May 20, depending on where you live. The window opens first in New York City (around Apr 11) and last in Buffalo (around Apr 28). Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before it stays above 55°F.

When is the best time to seed grass in New York?

Early fall is best for cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass): typically from Aug 11 to Oct 28 across New York, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

What type of grass grows in New York?

Most lawns in New York are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass).

Lawn care guides

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