Buffalo, NY Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Buffalo between Apr 28 and May 20. The best time to overseed is between Aug 24 and Oct 13. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 27. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Buffalo
| 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 28 – May 20 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 13 – Jun 17 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 24 – Oct 13 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Aug 23 – Nov 9 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Buffalo. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Buffalo
- 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
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in Buffalo by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 28°F and peaks in July at 72°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 28.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28°F | 28°F | 35°F | 44°F | 56°F | 66°F | 72°F | 71°F | 66°F | 55°F | 43°F | 33°F |
Buffalo lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Buffalo reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 9 (2021) and as late as May 17 (2019): 38 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 27) and first fall frost (Nov 7), the growing season lasts about 194 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 24 | Apr 17 | Nov 10 |
| 2024 | Apr 29 | Apr 26 | Nov 13 |
| 2023 | Apr 13 | Apr 27 | Nov 1 |
| 2022 | May 9 | Apr 29 | Nov 9 |
| 2021 | Apr 9 | Apr 23 | Nov 5 |
| 2020 | May 16 | May 13 | Oct 31 |
| 2019 | May 17 | Apr 29 | Oct 19 |
| 2018 | May 2 | Apr 30 | Oct 30 |
| 2017 | Apr 26 | Apr 8 | Nov 8 |
| 2016 | Apr 18 | Apr 14 | Nov 21 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Buffalo. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Buffalo?
In a typical year, between Apr 28 and May 20. 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 Buffalo?
Early fall, typically Aug 24 – Oct 13, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Buffalo?
The median last spring frost is Apr 27 and the median first fall frost is Nov 7 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Buffalo?
About 194 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 27 to the median first fall frost on Nov 7 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
- When to apply pre-emergent
- Lawn fertilizer schedule
- When to overseed
- Soil temperature for lawns
- Fall lawn care checklist
Growing vegetables too? See the Buffalo planting calendarfor when to start seeds and plant outside.
More New York lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Erie, PA 81 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 14
- State College, PA 154 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 19 – Apr 27
- Cleveland, OH 173 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 3
- Pittsburgh, PA 179 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 6 – Apr 26