La Crosse, WI Lawn Care Calendar
In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in La Crosse between Apr 20 and May 10. The best time to overseed is between Aug 11 and Sep 30. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 20. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).
Typical lawn care dates in La Crosse
| Task | Typical 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 10 |
| Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing. | May 3 – Jun 7 |
| Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost. | Aug 11 – Sep 30 |
| Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F. | Sep 3 – Nov 1 |
Median dates, 2016–2025, from NOAA weather data for La Crosse. This year's dates can differ by a few weeks.
Month-by-month lawn care in La Crosse
- JanuaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- FebruaryNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- MarchNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AprilCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
- MayCrabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)Spring fertilizer
- JuneSpring fertilizer
- JulyNo treatments due; mow as needed.
- AugustOverseeding & seeding
- SeptemberOverseeding & seedingFall fertilizer
- OctoberFall fertilizer
- NovemberFall fertilizer
- DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
Soil temperature in La Crosse by month
Average soil temperature 4 inches down, estimated from 2016–2025 weather. It bottoms out in January at 20°F and peaks in July at 75°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 20.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20°F | 22°F | 36°F | 46°F | 59°F | 71°F | 75°F | 73°F | 67°F | 54°F | 39°F | 27°F |
La Crosse lawn timing, year by year
Over the last 10 years, soil in La Crosse reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 5 (2021) and as late as May 6 (2022): 31 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 20) and first fall frost (Oct 25), the growing season lasts about 188 days.
| Year | Crabgrass window opened | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Apr 23 | Apr 16 | Oct 24 |
| 2024 | Apr 12 | Apr 21 | Oct 16 |
| 2023 | Apr 11 | Apr 23 | Oct 29 |
| 2022 | May 6 | Apr 19 | Oct 18 |
| 2021 | Apr 5 | Apr 22 | Nov 3 |
| 2020 | Apr 27 | Apr 17 | Oct 19 |
| 2019 | Apr 22 | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| 2018 | Apr 30 | Apr 21 | Oct 13 |
| 2017 | Apr 14 | Apr 1 | Oct 29 |
| 2016 | Apr 16 | May 15 | Nov 12 |
Estimated from daily temperatures for La Crosse. A dash means it didn't happen that year.
Frequently asked questions
When should I apply pre-emergent in La Crosse?
In a typical year, between Apr 20 and May 10. 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 La Crosse?
Early fall, typically Aug 11 – Sep 30, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.
When is the last frost in La Crosse?
The median last spring frost is Apr 20 and the median first fall frost is Oct 25 (2016–2025).
How long is the growing season in La Crosse?
About 188 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 20 to the median first fall frost on Oct 25 (2016–2025).
Lawn care guides
- When to apply pre-emergent
- Lawn fertilizer schedule
- When to overseed
- Soil temperature for lawns
- Fall lawn care checklist
Growing vegetables too? See the La Crosse planting calendarfor when to start seeds and plant outside.
More Wisconsin lawn calendars
Nearby cities in other states
- Rochester, MN 63 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 16
- St. Paul, MN 121 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 21 – May 15
- Cedar Rapids, IA 128 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 17 – Apr 30
- Minneapolis, MN 129 miles away · crabgrass preventer Apr 20 – May 15