Durham, NC Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Durham between Mar 7 and Mar 20. The best time to overseed is between Aug 28 and Oct 17. The last spring frost usually comes around Mar 27. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in Durham
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Crabgrass sprouts once soil stays above 55°F. Apply when soil reaches 50°F, before that happens. | Mar 7 – Mar 20 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | Mar 13 – Apr 17 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 28 – Oct 17 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 21 – Nov 26 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for Durham. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in Durham
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- AprilSpring fertilizer
- MayNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- JuneNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- 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 Durham by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 41°F and peaks in July at 81°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Mar 7.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41°F | 46°F | 52°F | 60°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 79°F | 74°F | 63°F | 51°F | 44°F |
Durham lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in Durham reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Jan 21 (2017) and as late as Apr 5 (2019): 74 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 (Mar 27) and first fall frost (Nov 11), the growing season lasts about 229 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 12 | Mar 7 | Nov 11 |
| 2024 | Mar 3 | Mar 19 | Nov 22 |
| 2023 | Feb 22 | Mar 22 | Nov 2 |
| 2022 | Mar 4 | Mar 29 | Nov 14 |
| 2021 | Mar 12 | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| 2020 | Mar 11 | Mar 9 | Nov 18 |
| 2019 | Apr 5 | Apr 3 | Nov 4 |
| 2018 | Feb 21 | Apr 8 | Nov 11 |
| 2017 | Jan 21 | Mar 24 | Nov 11 |
| 2016 | Mar 9 | Apr 11 | Nov 13 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for Durham. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Growing warm-season grass in Durham?
| Task | Typical window |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent) | Mar 7 – Mar 20 |
| Fertilizer | May 2 – Sep 30 |
| Seeding, sodding & plugging | May 2 – Aug 28 |
| Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds) | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in Durham?
In a typical year, between Mar 7 and Mar 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 Durham?
Early fall, typically Aug 28 – Oct 17, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in Durham?
The median last spring frost is Mar 27 and the median first fall frost is Nov 11 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in Durham?
About 229 days, from the median last spring frost on Mar 27 to the median first fall frost on Nov 11 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
More North Carolina lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Lynchburg, VA 99 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 12 – Apr 15
- Roanoke, VA 106 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 9 – Apr 5
- Richmond, VA 134 miles away · crabgrass preventer Mar 11 – Apr 5
- Rock Hill, SC 141 miles away · crabgrass preventer Feb 17 – Mar 19