LawnWeather

Bismarck, ND Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Bismarck between May 5 and May 19. The best time to overseed is between Jul 25 and Sep 13. The last spring frost usually comes around May 1. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Bismarck

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
May 5 – May 19
Spring fertilizer
May 12 – Jun 16
Overseeding & seeding
Jul 25 – Sep 13
Fall fertilizer
Aug 5 – Oct 24
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.May 5 – May 19
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 12 – Jun 16
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Jul 25 – Sep 13
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Aug 5 – Oct 24

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Bismarck

  1. JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  2. FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  3. MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  4. AprilNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  5. MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
  6. JuneSpring fertilizer
  7. JulyOverseeding & seeding
  8. AugustOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  9. SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
  10. OctoberFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Bismarck by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 14°F and peaks in July at 72°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 5.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
14°F16°F29°F40°F55°F67°F72°F70°F62°F47°F33°F20°F

Bismarck lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Bismarck reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 21 (2019) and as late as May 14 (2021): 23 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 (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 8), the growing season lasts about 160 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025May 4Apr 30Oct 22
2024May 7Apr 22Oct 14
2023May 4May 2Oct 7
2022May 7May 3Oct 7
2021May 14May 11Oct 21
2020Apr 24May 15Sep 9
2019Apr 21May 9Oct 10
2018May 3Apr 28Sep 28
2017May 5Apr 30Oct 9
2016May 4Apr 22Oct 6

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Bismarck?

In a typical year, between May 5 and May 19. 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 Bismarck?

Early fall, typically Jul 25 – Sep 13, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Bismarck?

The median last spring frost is May 1 and the median first fall frost is Oct 8 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Bismarck?

About 160 days, from the median last spring frost on May 1 to the median first fall frost on Oct 8 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More North Dakota lawn calendars

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