LawnWeather

Syracuse, NY Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Syracuse between Apr 20 and May 9. The best time to overseed is between Aug 18 and Oct 7. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 25. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Syracuse

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Apr 20 – May 9
Spring fertilizer
May 2 – Jun 6
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 18 – Oct 7
Fall fertilizer
Aug 27 – Nov 5
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 20 – May 9
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 2 – Jun 6
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 18 – Oct 7
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Aug 27 – Nov 5

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Syracuse

  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 Syracuse by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 27°F and peaks in July at 74°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 20.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
27°F28°F35°F46°F58°F68°F74°F72°F65°F55°F41°F32°F

Syracuse lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Syracuse 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 25) and first fall frost (Nov 1), the growing season lasts about 190 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Apr 22Apr 11Oct 27
2024Apr 10Apr 26Nov 3
2023Apr 12Apr 9Nov 8
2022May 2Apr 19Oct 28
2021Apr 9Apr 23Nov 4
2020May 16May 13Oct 17
2019Apr 19Apr 29Nov 8
2018May 2Apr 23Oct 26
2017Apr 16May 10Nov 8
2016Apr 19Apr 28Oct 27

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Syracuse?

In a typical year, between Apr 20 and May 9. 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 Syracuse?

Early fall, typically Aug 18 – Oct 7, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Syracuse?

The median last spring frost is Apr 25 and the median first fall frost is Nov 1 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Syracuse?

About 190 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 25 to the median first fall frost on Nov 1 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More New York lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states