LawnWeather

Montpelier, VT Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Montpelier between May 1 and May 25. The best time to overseed is between Jul 30 and Sep 18. The last spring frost usually comes around May 8. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Montpelier

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
May 1 – May 25
Spring fertilizer
May 18 – Jun 22
Overseeding & seeding
Jul 30 – Sep 18
Fall fertilizer
Aug 1 – Nov 2
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 1 – May 25
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 18 – Jun 22
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Jul 30 – Sep 18
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Aug 1 – Nov 2

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Montpelier

  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. NovemberFall fertilizer
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Montpelier by month

Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 21°F and peaks in July at 70°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around May 1.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
21°F22°F30°F42°F55°F64°F70°F68°F62°F51°F36°F25°F

Montpelier lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Montpelier reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 10 (2021) and as late as May 20 (2016): 40 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 8) and first fall frost (Oct 13), the growing season lasts about 158 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Apr 29May 1Oct 10
2024May 2Apr 27Oct 17
2023Apr 14May 18Oct 31
2022May 10May 8Oct 3
2021Apr 10May 7Oct 23
2020May 18May 14Sep 19
2019Apr 22May 9Oct 5
2018May 3Apr 24Oct 14
2017Apr 28May 4Oct 17
2016May 20May 17Oct 11

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Montpelier?

In a typical year, between May 1 and May 25. 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 Montpelier?

Early fall, typically Jul 30 – Sep 18, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Montpelier?

The median last spring frost is May 8 and the median first fall frost is Oct 13 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Montpelier?

About 158 days, from the median last spring frost on May 8 to the median first fall frost on Oct 13 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More Vermont lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states