When does pre-emergent application typically open in Des Moines, IA?

Pre-emergent application typically opens in April to May for Des Moines, IA, when 2-inch soil temperature reaches the 50–55°F threshold for several consecutive days. Apply earlier than that and the herbicide degrades before crabgrass germinates; apply later and weeds have already sprouted. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

What grass types grow best in Des Moines, IA?

Des Moines, IA is primarily a cool-season climate. Cool-season grasses (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue) thrive when 2-inch soil sits in the 50–65°F range and slow down in midsummer heat. Picking a grass family that matches the climate is the single biggest lawn-care decision; transition-zone homeowners often maintain blends and accept that neither family will look perfect year-round. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

When is the first fall frost typically expected in Des Moines, IA?

In Des Moines, IA, the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15. Soil temperature continues to drop through October and November, which closes the fall fertilizer window for warm-season grasses and opens the dormant-seeding window for cool-season grasses. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

How often is this schedule updated?

Recommendations recompute every 6 hours from the latest reading at Des Moines 17 E, about 17 miles from Des Moines. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

What soil temperature do cool-season grasses need to germinate?

Cool-season grasses like fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass germinate best when 2-inch soil temperature sits in the 50–65°F range for several consecutive days. Above that, summer heat stresses young seedlings; below that, germination slows or stalls. The re-entry interval (REI) on any post-emergent products you apply during establishment is on the product label; respect it before letting pets or children back on treated areas. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

Where does the soil temperature data for Des Moines come from?

Soil temperature for Des Moines comes from Des Moines 17 E, a station in the NOAA US Climate Reference Network (USCRN) located about 17 miles away. Daily readings at depths from 2 inches down to 40 inches feed the schedule's window-open and window-closing decisions. This is informational guidance only, not a prescription. The label is the law. Consult your local Cooperative Extension office before applying any product.

Home Locations Guides

Tools

Live Soil Temperature Map Soil Moisture MapLawn-Care Schedule4-Inch Soil Temperature Soil Temperature by Depth Growing Degree Days

Home Locations Guides Tools

Live Soil Temperature Map Soil Moisture MapLawn-Care Schedule4-Inch Soil Temperature Soil Temperature by Depth Growing Degree Days

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Iowa
Des Moines, IA
Lawn Care Schedule

Lawn Care Schedule for Des Moines, IA

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Right now in Des Moines

73°F at 2-inch depth · Measured in the ground · Des Moines 17 E (NOAA USCRN #54902), 17 mi SE · read 3 days ago (Sep 10, 2026) · updates nightly with about a 1-day sensor lag

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Data provided by USDA NRCS SCAN Network and NOAA USCRN. Modeled fallback: modeled estimates when a current station reading is unavailable. Updated daily. For official agricultural data, visit nrcs.usda.gov (opens in new tab).

Tools Live Soil Temperature Map Soil Moisture MapLawn-Care Schedule4-Inch Soil Temperature Soil Temperature by Depth Growing Degree Days Locations Stations Guides Methodology About

Home
Iowa
Des Moines, IA
Lawn Care Schedule

Lawn Care Schedule for Des Moines, IA

See another city's schedule →

Right now in Des Moines

73°F at 2-inch depth · Measured in the ground · Des Moines 17 E (NOAA USCRN #54902), 17 mi SE · read 3 days ago (Sep 10, 2026) · updates nightly with about a 1-day sensor lag

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2026

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About this schedule

Soil at 2 inches is currently 73°F. That is 4°F above the 30-year normal for this date. Data from NOAA US Climate Reference Network (USCRN), 17 miles away at Des Moines 17 E. First fall frost typically arrives around October 15.

More for Des Moines, IA

Soil temperature for this area

Soil temperature in Des Moines, IA

Nearby schedules

Ankeny, IA
Urbandale, IA
West Des Moines, IA
Ames, IA
Boone, IA
Melcher-dallas, IA
Clarion, IA
Cedar Falls, IA

Related guides

Affordable lawn renovation: a new homeowner's guide
When to apply pre-emergent herbicide
Fall pre-emergent timing for poa annua
Winterizer timing: when to stop fertilizing
When to apply broadleaf weed killer (cool-season lawns)
When to apply broadleaf weed killer (warm-season lawns)
Spring overseeding for cool-season grass
Spring lawn fertilization timing

Sources

Penn State Extension: Managing Thatch in Lawns (2025)
NC State Extension: Carolina Lawns: A Guide to Maintaining Quality Turf in the Landscape (2021)
University of Maryland Extension: Maintaining an Established Lawn (2026)
Penn State Extension: Liming Turfgrass Areas (2002)
Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech): Fall Lawn Care (2025)
Penn State Extension: Lawn Establishment (2025)
University of Maryland Extension: Starting a New Lawn (2026)
Penn State Extension: Control of Summer Annual Grass Weeds in Turfgrasses (2024)
University of Maryland Extension: Crabgrass (2023)
University of Minnesota Extension: Fertilizing Lawns (2024)
Penn State Extension: Turfgrass Fertilization: A Basic Guide for Professional Turfgrass Managers (2016)
Purdue Extension: Control of Broadleaf Weeds in Homelawns (AY-9-W) (2019)
University of Minnesota Extension: Lawn Weeds (2023)
University of Georgia Extension: Turfgrass Fertility: Understanding Fertilizer Labels, Macronutrients, and Micronutrients (2016)
Penn State Extension: The Impact of Mowing on Weed Pressure (2025)
University of Minnesota Extension: Mowing Practices for Healthy Lawns (2024)
University of Illinois Extension: Managing Lawns During Drought (2023)
Virginia Cooperative Extension: Summer Lawn Management: Watering the Lawn (2024)
Penn State Extension: White Grubs in Home Lawns (2024)
Purdue Extension Entomology: Managing White Grubs in Turfgrass (2023)
NC State Extension TurfFiles: Annual Bluegrass (2022)
University of Georgia Extension: Annual Bluegrass Control in Residential Turfgrass (2024)
Iowa State University Extension: Core Aeration of Lawns (September and April; no temperature given) (2024)
Michigan State University Extension: Improving soil conditions for turf with fall aeration (late summer to early fall; no temperature given) (2023)
Penn State Extension: Soil Testing (2026)
University of Maryland Extension: Soil Testing and Soil Testing Labs (2026)
Colorado State University Extension: Fall and Winter Watering of Plants and Trees (2025)
Clemson Cooperative Extension: Winter Irrigation for Turfgrass Lawns (2020)

Latest soil reading: Sep 10, 2026 (3 days ago).

Schedule last updated: 23:20 UTC-6

COMING UP

Cool-season late-fall (winterizer) nitrogen

DAYS

Opens when 2-inch soil sits between 40°F and 55°F. Currently 73°F, above the band.

Calendar window date; soil conditions decide the actual open.

Next after that: Fall lime application, opens in ~18 days.

→ See full schedule for the year