LawnWeather

Madison, WI Lawn Care Calendar

In a typical year, put down crabgrass preventer in Madison between Apr 20 and May 16. The best time to overseed is between Aug 2 and Sep 21. The last spring frost usually comes around Apr 29. Most lawns here are cool-season grass (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass).

Typical lawn care dates in Madison

Crabgrass preventer (pre-emergent)
Apr 20 – May 16
Spring fertilizer
May 9 – Jun 13
Overseeding & seeding
Aug 2 – Sep 21
Fall fertilizer
Aug 7 – Oct 29
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 16
Spring fertilizerA light feeding once soil warms past 55°F and the grass is actively growing.May 9 – Jun 13
Overseeding & seedingLate summer to early fall: seedlings need about 6–10 weeks of growth before the first frost.Aug 2 – Sep 21
Fall fertilizerThe most important feeding for cool-season grass, from early fall until soil cools to about 45°F.Aug 7 – Oct 29

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

Month-by-month lawn care in Madison

  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. OctoberFall fertilizer
  11. NovemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.
  12. DecemberNo treatments due; mow as needed.

Soil temperature in Madison 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 73°F. Crabgrass preventer goes down when it reaches 50°F, usually around Apr 20.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
21°F23°F35°F45°F58°F69°F73°F71°F65°F53°F39°F27°F

Madison lawn timing, year by year

Over the last 10 years, soil in Madison reached 50°F, the signal for crabgrass preventer, as early as Apr 6 (2021) and as late as May 7 (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 29) and first fall frost (Oct 16), the growing season lasts about 170 days.

YearCrabgrass window openedLast spring frostFirst fall frost
2025Apr 23Apr 16Oct 24
2024Apr 11Apr 25Oct 16
2023Apr 11Apr 26Oct 17
2022May 7Apr 28Oct 8
2021Apr 6May 11Oct 22
2020Apr 29May 13Oct 2
2019Apr 22Apr 28Oct 12
2018May 1Apr 29Oct 13
2017Apr 15May 4Oct 29
2016Apr 17May 15Oct 14

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

Frequently asked questions

When should I apply pre-emergent in Madison?

In a typical year, between Apr 20 and May 16. 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 Madison?

Early fall, typically Aug 2 – Sep 21, while soil cools from 65°F toward 50°F.

When is the last frost in Madison?

The median last spring frost is Apr 29 and the median first fall frost is Oct 16 (2016–2025).

How long is the growing season in Madison?

About 170 days, from the median last spring frost on Apr 29 to the median first fall frost on Oct 16 (2016–2025).

Lawn care guides

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

More Wisconsin lawn calendars

Nearby cities in other states