When to apply crabgrass pre-emergent in Michigan
Updated October 23, 2026. Live numbers refresh hourly.
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In Michigan, apply crabgrass pre-emergent when growing degree days (base 32°F, counted from February 15) reach 250–500, the window Michigan State University uses, which lines up with soil holding 50–55°F in the top two inches. Today the 0–4 inch soil around Grand Rapids, MI averages 56°F and is warming.
- Soil today
- 56°F
- +7.4°F over 7 days
Live data for Grand Rapids, MI. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Side by side
| 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)
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
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.
- 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
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.
- 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
MSU's two-signal approach
Michigan State University turf researchers built their timing around growing degree days. Starting February 15, each day adds its average temperature above 32°F. The pre-emergent window opens at 250 GDD and runs to 500. MSU's GDD Tracker publishes these counts for locations across the state, and MSU checks them against soil temperature: the target is soil in the top 2 inches consistently at 50–55°F.
The two signals agree most years, and when they don't, the cause is usually a warm spell that pushes air-based GDD ahead of slower-warming soil. Treating once both line up avoids applying too early, which uses up the product's residual before the late-germinating crabgrass arrives.
North to south across the state
The window moves north with spring. Lawns around Detroit and in southwest Michigan usually reach it first; Grand Rapids and Lansing follow; northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula can be weeks later. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron cool nearby shorelines in spring, so lakeshore towns can lag inland areas at the same latitude.
Rather than guess, check the live soil numbers for your city: Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit, Traverse City. Our spring countdown shows how many days until the forecast reaches 55°F, the point at which MSU says germination begins after four to five days.
Getting the application right
- Water in per label; most products need rain or irrigation to activate.
- Treat the edges first: driveway and sidewalk borders warm earliest and are where crabgrass starts.
- Pre-emergents don't kill crabgrass that's up. MSU says about 80% of germination happens at 60–70°F soil, so treat before that.
- Skip pre-emergent on areas you plan to seed in spring, or seed in late summer instead (see overseeding in the Northeast; the timing principles are the same).
Questions
When should I put down crabgrass preventer in Michigan?
When GDD (base 32°F from Feb 15) reaches 250–500, per MSU, which usually matches soil temperatures of 50–55°F. Southern Michigan typically reaches it before northern Michigan.
What is the MSU GDD Tracker?
A Michigan State University tool that publishes growing degree day totals for locations in Michigan and nearby to help time turf applications.
Is it too late if forsythia is done blooming?
Bloom is a rough guide only. Check soil temperature: if soil has held 55°F for more than four to five days, germination has likely started.
How long does one pre-emergent application last?
It depends on the product and rate. Jonathan Green says one application of its Season-Long Weed Preventer lasts 3 to 4 months and suggests a second by the end of May for full-season crabgrass control.
Bottom line
Apply crabgrass pre-emergent in Michigan when the MSU GDD Tracker reaches 250–500 GDD (base 32°F from Feb 15), which usually lines up with soil at 50–55°F; southern Michigan gets there first. Use a straight prodiamine or dithiopyr product, spread evenly and watered in. Dithiopyr adds some control of very young crabgrass if you're late.
Check price at AndersonsThe Andersons Barricade 0.48% Prodiamine Pre-Emergent (APTDG48BR18A, 18 lb)
Sources
- Michigan State University Extension: Timing crabgrass pre-emergence applications
- Michigan State University: GDD Tracker
- Michigan State University: Crabgrass weed biology
- The Andersons: Barricade 0.48% prodiamine pre-emergent product page
- Jonathan Green: Season-Long Weed Preventer product page
- DoMyOwn: Prodiamine 65 WDG listing
- DoMyOwn: Dimension 2EW herbicide listing
Soil temperatures: NOAA GFS model, 0–10 cm layer. Snow: NOAA and National Weather Service. See how we measure.