Newark
Apply ASAP56°F↑ warming
Soil has cooled to 75°F, so winter weeds are sprouting. Pre-emergent still stops later flushes.
Winter weeds are sprouting now
New Jersey Weed Watch · updated Nov 3, 1:18 AM CT
When to apply pre-emergent in New Jersey
Live soil temperatures for Newark, Trenton and Atlantic City, updated every three hours. Weeds sprout by soil temperature, not by the calendar, so the right week moves from year to year.
New Jersey lawns get pre-emergent twice a year: in spring for crabgrass and other summer weeds, and in fall for winter weeds.
Spring pre-emergentNext season
Typically Mar 31 – Apr 24
Stops crabgrass and other summer weeds before they sprout.
Fall pre-emergentThis season
Typically by Aug 18 – Sep 3
Stops winter weeds (annual bluegrass, henbit, chickweed) before they sprout.
Skip it if you are overseeding this fall.
Right now · fall pre-emergent season
Winter weeds are germinating — apply now if you haven't: Newark. Winter weeds are up — spot-treat: Trenton and Atlantic City
Soil is 54–56°F now. Spot-treat them with a post-emergent on a mild day, or in early spring before they flower.
Soil temperature by city
Soil 2 inches down, 5-day average: solid line = the last two weeks, dashed = the six-day forecast. Shaded = below 75°F, where winter weeds sprout — pre-emergent has to be down before the line gets there.
Trenton
Spot-treat54°F↑ warming
Winter weeds are up. Spot-treat them on a mild day, or in early spring before they flower.
Winter weeds are up
Atlantic City
Spot-treat54°F↑ warming
Winter weeds are up. Spot-treat them on a mild day, or in early spring before they flower.
Winter weeds are up
New Jersey pre-emergent calendar
Spring pre-emergent stops crabgrass. The window runs from the typical day soil warms to 50°F to the day it holds 55°F, when crabgrass starts germinating (2016–2025). Fall pre-emergent stops winter weeds: have it down a week before soil usually cools to 75°F, when they start germinating.
| City | Spring pre-emergent (crabgrass) | Fall pre-emergent (winter weeds) |
|---|---|---|
| Newark | Apr 8 – Apr 24 | Apply by Sep 3 |
| Trenton | Apr 5 – Apr 23 | Apply by Aug 18 |
| Atlantic City | Mar 31 – Apr 16 | Apply by Aug 28 |
These are typical-year dates (the median of 2016–2025); any one year can run a couple of weeks earlier or later, which is what the live readings above are for. For your exact yard, check soil temperature by ZIP.
Recommended gear
Fall pre-emergents
Granular or liquid. Follow the label rate, and water it in.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, MeasureLawn earns from qualifying purchases.
Amazon
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Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer
Beginner friendlyPendimethalingranularcovers ~5,000 sq ft / 0.11 ac$24.97as of Nov 2, 10:00 AM UTC · may change
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The Andersons Barricade Professional-Grade Granular
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Dimension 2EW (Dithiopyr)
Liquid concentrate; 64 oz half gallon; mix with water and spray
Dithiopyrliquidcovers ~91,428 sq ft / 2.1 ac$158.00as of Nov 2, 10:00 AM UTC · may change
What people in New Jersey are identifying
We record the state each identification comes from. New Jersey's list appears here once it has at least 40 identifications spread over 7 or more days — so no single scan stands out. Until then, see the national list, or add yours:
Identify a weed from a photoWeeds to watch in New Jersey this fall
Questions about New Jersey
When should I apply crabgrass pre-emergent in New Jersey?
Put crabgrass pre-emergent down as soil warms to 50°F, before it holds 55°F and crabgrass starts germinating. In a typical year (2016–2025) that window is Apr 8 – Apr 24 in Newark; Apr 5 – Apr 23 in Trenton; Mar 31 – Apr 16 in Atlantic City.
When should I apply fall pre-emergent in New Jersey?
Winter weeds such as annual bluegrass, henbit and chickweed start germinating as soil cools to about 75°F in late summer and fall, and most come up once it is below 70°F. Have fall pre-emergent down before they start: typically by Sep 3 in Newark; by Aug 18 in Trenton; by Aug 28 in Atlantic City. Skip it if you are overseeding this fall, because it stops grass seed too.
What is the soil temperature in New Jersey right now?
As of Nov 3, 1:18 AM CT: Newark 56°F, Trenton 54°F, Atlantic City 54°F (5-day average, about 2.4 inches down). Winter weeds are germinating — apply now if you haven't: Newark. Winter weeds are up — spot-treat: Trenton and Atlantic City.
How the readings and dates are made, and their limits: Weed Watch method. Soil data: Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0); typical dates: NASA POWER.