Crabgrass pre-emergent timing in Pennsylvania and New England

Updated October 23, 2026. Live numbers refresh hourly.

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Across Pennsylvania and New England, apply crabgrass pre-emergent when the top two inches of soil hold 50–55°F, before four to five straight days at 55°F; because spring arrives weeks apart from Philadelphia to northern New England, use local soil temperature instead of one regional date. Today the 0–4 inch soil around Pittsburgh, PA averages 54°F.

Soil today: 54°F; +0.5°F over 7 days

Live data for Pittsburgh, PA. Check your own ZIP below for local numbers.

Our picks

Chosen from the research below and the makers' own listings. We haven't lab-tested them.

Homeowners with a spreader
The Andersons Barricade 0.48% Prodiamine Pre-Emergent (APTDG48BR18A, 18 lb)
5,800sq ft per 18 lb bag (Andersons)
A straight granular prodiamine with no fertilizer, spread with an ordinary broadcast spreader and watered in. Andersons times its spring application to before 4-inch soil reaches 55°F, the same trigger this guide tracks.
Check price at Andersons Why we picked it
Lawns where timing may slip
Jonathan Green Season-Long Weed Preventer
3rd leafcrabgrass stage it still controls (Jonathan Green)
A granular dithiopyr (Dimension) preventer with no fertilizer. Besides stopping seeds, Jonathan Green says it controls crabgrass that has already come up, to the third leaf stage, which gives some slack if a warm spell beats you to the window.
Check price at Jonathan Green Why we picked it
Pros and big lawns with a sprayer
Prodiamine 65 WDG
65%prodiamine (DoMyOwn listing)
The concentrated, sprayable form of prodiamine. It's mixed with water and sprayed, which suits people who already own a calibrated sprayer or treat a lot of turf; DoMyOwn lists spring and fall use.
Check price at DoMyOwn Why we picked it
Pros who want early post control
Dimension 2EW herbicide
5-leafcrabgrass stage it still controls (DoMyOwn)
The liquid, professional form of dithiopyr. DoMyOwn lists it as pre-emergent plus early post-emergent on crabgrass up to the five-leaf stage, with single or split applications.
Check price at DoMyOwn Why we picked it

Side by side

Forms, active ingredients, coverage and early post-emergent claims are from each maker's page or the linked DoMyOwn listing. A dash means the maker doesn't list it.
Pick	Best for	Form	Active ingredient	Covers	Young crabgrass already up	Retailer link
The Andersons Barricade 0.48% Prodiamine Pre-Emergent (APTDG48BR18A, 18 lb)	Homeowners with a spreader	Granular (spreader)	Prodiamine 0.48%	5,800 sq ft per 18 lb; 12,880 sq ft per 40 lb	No (prevents only)	Check price at Andersons
Jonathan Green Season-Long Weed Preventer	Lawns where timing may slip	Granular (spreader)	Dithiopyr (Dimension)	5,000 sq ft per 10 lb; 15,000 sq ft per 30 lb	Up to the 3rd leaf stage (Jonathan Green)	Check price at Jonathan Green
Prodiamine 65 WDG	Pros and big lawns with a sprayer	Water-dispersible granule, sprayed	Prodiamine 65%	0.185–0.55 oz per 1,000 sq ft (label rate); 5 lb jug	No (prevents only)	Check price at DoMyOwn
Dimension 2EW herbicide	Pros who want early post control	Liquid concentrate, sprayed	Dithiopyr 24% (2 lb per gallon)	0.28–0.73 oz per 1,000 sq ft (label rate); 64 oz jug	Up to the 5-leaf stage (DoMyOwn)	Check price at DoMyOwn

Forms, active ingredients, coverage and early post-emergent claims are from each maker's page or the linked DoMyOwn listing. A dash means the maker doesn't list it.

The Andersons Barricade 0.48% Prodiamine Pre-Emergent (APTDG48BR18A, 18 lb)

Homeowners with a spreader

A straight granular prodiamine with no fertilizer, spread with an ordinary broadcast spreader and watered in. Andersons times its spring application to before 4-inch soil reaches 55°F, the same trigger this guide tracks.

Why we picked it

0.48% prodiamine on Andersons' dispersible granule, which it says breaks down when watered and moves into the soil.
Andersons lists 30 grass and broadleaf weeds it prevents, including crabgrass, goosegrass, poa annua and henbit.
Comes in 18 lb (up to 5,800 sq ft) and 40 lb (up to 12,880 sq ft) bags; spreader settings are posted on the product page.

Downsides

Prevention only: Andersons says it won't eliminate weeds that are already up, and it doesn't prevent dandelions or clover.
It needs at least 0.2 in of water to activate (Andersons).
It stops grass seed too. Andersons says to wait at least 4 months before seeding, longer at higher rates.

Form: Granular (spreader)
Active ingredient: Prodiamine 0.48%
Covers: 5,800 sq ft per 18 lb; 12,880 sq ft per 40 lb
Young crabgrass already up: No (prevents only)
Fertilizer: None
Model: Andersons APTDG48BR18A (18 lb)

Check price at Andersons

Jonathan Green Season-Long Weed Preventer

Lawns where timing may slip

A granular dithiopyr (Dimension) preventer with no fertilizer. Besides stopping seeds, Jonathan Green says it controls crabgrass that has already come up, to the third leaf stage, which gives some slack if a warm spell beats you to the window.

Why we picked it

Contains Dimension (dithiopyr) and no fertilizer, so it can go down on its own schedule (Jonathan Green).
Jonathan Green says one application lasts 3 to 4 months and suggests early spring plus a second application by the end of May for the whole crabgrass season.
Sold in 10 lb (up to 5,000 sq ft) and 30 lb (up to 15,000 sq ft) bags.

Downsides

Wait 90 days after applying before you plant grass seed, and 60 days after seeding before you apply (Jonathan Green).
Post-emergent control is limited to young crabgrass; other weeds have to be prevented before they germinate.
Water in about 1/2 in after applying to activate it (Jonathan Green).

Form: Granular (spreader)
Active ingredient: Dithiopyr (Dimension)
Covers: 5,000 sq ft per 10 lb; 15,000 sq ft per 30 lb
Young crabgrass already up: Up to the 3rd leaf stage (Jonathan Green)
Fertilizer: None

Check price at Jonathan Green

Prodiamine 65 WDG

Pros and big lawns with a sprayer

The concentrated, sprayable form of prodiamine. It's mixed with water and sprayed, which suits people who already own a calibrated sprayer or treat a lot of turf; DoMyOwn lists spring and fall use.

Why we picked it

65% prodiamine water-dispersible granule from Quali-Pro (EPA Reg. 53883-429), sold in a 5 lb jug.
DoMyOwn lists a label rate of 0.185 to 0.55 oz per 1,000 sq ft, so a small jug goes a long way.
Water in with about 1/2 in of rain or irrigation, per the listing; DoMyOwn gives a 3-year shelf life.

Downsides

You need a sprayer and have to mix and measure small amounts accurately.
Prevention only: it doesn't kill weeds that are already up (DoMyOwn).
DoMyOwn doesn't sell it to Alaska or New York, where it's restricted to licensed applicators.
New York homeowners: use a granular instead, or hire a licensed applicator.

Form: Water-dispersible granule, sprayed
Active ingredient: Prodiamine 65%
Covers: 0.185–0.55 oz per 1,000 sq ft (label rate); 5 lb jug
Young crabgrass already up: No (prevents only)
Model: Quali-Pro 83013356

Check price at DoMyOwn

Dimension 2EW herbicide

Pros who want early post control

The liquid, professional form of dithiopyr. DoMyOwn lists it as pre-emergent plus early post-emergent on crabgrass up to the five-leaf stage, with single or split applications.

Why we picked it

24% dithiopyr (2 lb active per gallon) from Corteva, EPA Reg. 62719-542.
Label rate of 0.28 to 0.73 oz per 1,000 sq ft; DoMyOwn says a 1/2 gallon treats 2 to 4 acres.
Non-staining and low odor, per the listing.

Downsides

Sold in 64 oz and larger jugs, more than most single lawns need.
It needs 1/2 in of rain or irrigation, ideally within 7 days (DoMyOwn).
DoMyOwn doesn't sell it to New York.
New York homeowners: use a granular instead, or hire a licensed applicator.

Form: Liquid concentrate, sprayed
Active ingredient: Dithiopyr 24% (2 lb per gallon)
Covers: 0.28–0.73 oz per 1,000 sq ft (label rate); 64 oz jug
Young crabgrass already up: Up to the 5-leaf stage (DoMyOwn)
Maker: Corteva

Check price at DoMyOwn

A region with very different springs

Southeastern Pennsylvania and coastal Connecticut warm early; the Poconos, the Berkshires and northern New England warm much later; and coastal areas can stay cool under sea breezes. A date that suits Philadelphia would be weeks early for Burlington. The research threshold is constant: Michigan State University's target of soil consistently at 50–55°F, with germination starting after four to five days at 55°F.

Pre-emergent and seeding don't mix

Many Northeast lawns are thin after summer and get seeded. Penn State calls late summer the best seeding time; spring seeding is a second choice. Most crabgrass pre-emergents stop grass seed, too, so if you seed in spring you'll need to skip pre-emergent in those areas or use a product labeled for seeding. If you can wait, seed in late summer and use pre-emergent the following spring. See overseeding timing in the Northeast.

Cool-season grasses grow roots best when soil is at 50–65°F, according to Penn State. Spring is when soil passes through that range on the way up; a dense, actively growing lawn is the best long-term crabgrass defense.

Check local numbers

Live soil temperatures and the 55°F countdown: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford, Albany, or any ZIP. National reference: soil temperature for lawn care.

Questions

When should I apply crabgrass preventer in Pennsylvania?

When soil in the top 2 inches holds 50–55°F. Southeastern Pennsylvania usually gets there earlier than the northern tier and higher elevations.

When is crabgrass preventer applied in Massachusetts?

Same soil trigger. Coastal and southern areas often warm before central and western Massachusetts; check local soil temperature.

Can I seed and use pre-emergent in spring?

Most pre-emergents stop grass seed. Use a product labeled for seeding, skip pre-emergent on seeded areas, or seed in late summer instead.

Can I buy Dimension 2EW or Prodiamine 65 WDG in New York?

DoMyOwn lists both as not for sale to New York, where they're restricted to licensed applicators. Jonathan Green's page gives a New York-specific yearly limit for Season-Long Weed Preventer, so check your state's rules and the label before you buy.

Bottom line

From Pennsylvania to Maine, apply crabgrass preventer when the top 2 inches of soil hold 50–55°F; southeastern Pennsylvania and coastal areas usually get there before the northern tier and higher ground. A straight granular prodiamine or dithiopyr product suits most home lawns. Check state restrictions in New York, and skip pre-emergent where you plan to seed in spring.

Check price at AndersonsThe Andersons Barricade 0.48% Prodiamine Pre-Emergent (APTDG48BR18A, 18 lb)

Sources

Soil temperatures: NOAA GFS model, 0–10 cm layer. Snow: NOAA and National Weather Service. See how we measure.