Crabgrass preventer timing in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Updated October 23, 2026. Live numbers refresh hourly.
Product links on this page go to regular retailer pages. We don't earn money from them right now; if that changes, this note will say so. How product links work
In Minnesota and Wisconsin, apply crabgrass preventer when the top two inches of soil hold 50–55°F, usually later than in states to the south, and apply it separately from fertilizer: the University of Minnesota says crabgrass preventers should go down much earlier in spring than fertilizer. Today the 0–4 inch soil around Minneapolis, MN averages 67°F and is warming.
- Soil today
- 67°F
- +15.6°F over 7 days
Live data for Minneapolis, MN. 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.
- Preventer without fertilizer
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) | Preventer without fertilizer | 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)
Preventer without fertilizer
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
Upper Midwest springs move fast
Spring in the Twin Cities often goes from snow cover to warm soil in a few weeks. That compresses the time between "too early" and "too late." The trigger itself is the same as elsewhere: Michigan State University's target of soil consistently at 50–55°F, with germination beginning after four to five days at 55°F.
Snowmelt matters. Soil under lingering snow banks along driveways stays cold, while exposed south-facing boulevards warm quickly. These boulevard strips, next to curbs and sidewalks, are exactly where UMN says a crabgrass preventer may be all you need, since lawn grass is less competitive there.
Why UMN says to split fertilizer and preventer
Many bags combine fertilizer with crabgrass preventer. UMN Extension says such a combination could be appropriate if you wait until early May, but crabgrass preventers should be applied much earlier than fertilizer, and fertilizing too early raises the risk of nutrients being lost to the environment. Their recommendation is to apply them separately.
UMN's nitrogen schedule puts most feeding in late summer and fall (August, September and, for high-maintenance lawns, early October), with a single late-spring round in May–June. So a straight preventer in spring and fertilizer later fits their program. Fall feeding details are in our Midwest fall fertilizer guide.
Check your area
Live soil temperatures and the 55°F countdown are on Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester and Madison, or any ZIP page. For winter, see ice melt that works below zero.
Questions
When do you apply crabgrass preventer in Minnesota?
When the top 2 inches of soil hold 50–55°F, usually mid to late spring depending on the year. Watch soil temperature rather than a fixed date.
Should I use a fertilizer with crabgrass preventer in Minnesota?
UMN says it can work if you wait until early May, but preventers should go down much earlier than fertilizer, so applying them separately is best.
Do I need to treat my whole lawn?
Often not. UMN notes crabgrass is usually concentrated along curbs, sidewalks, boulevards and driveways, where grass is less competitive.
Which crabgrass preventers come without fertilizer?
All four picks on this page: Andersons Barricade and Jonathan Green Season-Long Weed Preventer are fertilizer-free granulars, and Prodiamine 65 WDG and Dimension 2EW are sprayable concentrates. That fits UMN's advice to put preventer down earlier than fertilizer.
Bottom line
In Minnesota and nearby states, put crabgrass preventer down when the top 2 inches of soil hold 50–55°F, and keep it separate from fertilizer, which UMN says should come later. Crabgrass is often limited to curbs, boulevards and drive edges, so treating those strips may be enough. A straight granular prodiamine or dithiopyr product fits most home lawns.
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: Crabgrass weed biology
- University of Minnesota Extension: Fertilizing lawns
- 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.