LawnWeather

Rochester, NY Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Rochester between Apr 22 and May 22. The best time to overseed is between Aug 20 and Oct 9. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 28. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Rochester

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Apr 22 – May 22
Spring fertilizer
May 15 – Jun 19
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 20 – Oct 9
Fall fertilizer
Aug 20 – Nov 6
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 22 – May 22
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 15 – Jun 19
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 20 – Oct 9
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Aug 20 – Nov 6

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Rochester

  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)
  5. MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  6. JuneSpring fertilizer
  7. JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  8. AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Rochester 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 73°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 22.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
28°F29°F36°F46°F57°F67°F73°F72°F66°F55°F42°F32°F

Rochester lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Rochester reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 9 (2021) and as late as May 16 (2020): 37 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 28) and first fall frost (Nov 3), the growing season lasts about 189 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Apr 22Apr 17Oct 27
2024Apr 10Apr 26Nov 3
2023Apr 12May 18Nov 1
2022May 10Apr 30Oct 21
2021Apr 9Apr 23Nov 4
2020May 16May 13Oct 17
2019Apr 22Apr 29Nov 6
2018May 2Apr 23Nov 4
2017Apr 16Apr 8Nov 8
2016May 12Apr 28Nov 1

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Rochester?

In a typical year, between Apr 22 and May 22. 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 Rochester?

Early fall, typically Aug 20 – Oct 9, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Rochester?

The median last spring frost is Apr 28 and the median first fall frost is Nov 3 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Rochester?

About 189 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 28 to the median first fall frost on Nov 3 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More New York lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states