Lawn Care Guide for Hoonah-Angoon Census Area

Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska

Navigating a High-Moisture Landscape

Hoonah-Angoon scores a 53.8 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it slightly easier to manage than the national median of 50.0. While it sits just below the state average of 57.8, its primary challenge is managing extreme moisture rather than cold.

Managing Nearly 94 Inches of Rain

Annual precipitation of 93.9 inches is nearly triple the national ideal, requiring intensive drainage solutions for healthy turf. With only 489 growing degree days, grass grows slowly between the May 6 spring frost and the October 10 fall frost.

Building a Foundation for Heavy Rain

Local soil data is not currently cataloged, so owners should prioritize testing for acidity and drainage class. In a climate this wet, you likely need to amend your soil with sand or gravel to prevent root rot and moss takeover.

A Landscape Free from Drought

Drought is non-existent here, with zero weeks of drought and 0% of the area classified as abnormally dry. Your water conservation plan should actually focus on diverting excess runoff away from the lawn to prevent saturation.

Choosing the Right Grass for the Rainforest

Stick with moisture-tolerant varieties like Fine Fescue, which can handle the low 489 growing degree days and heavy rains. Plan your seeding for mid-May once the frost clears to give the lawn time to establish before the wet autumn peaks.

Lawn Difficulty Score

23/100
Easy
Rainfall60/100
Soil Quality0/100
Temperature0/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought0/100

Soil Summary

pH

N/A

Texture

N/A

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

N/A

View full soil details

Climate Snapshot

Annual Precip

93.9"

Growing Degree Days

489.28

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

05/06

First Fall Frost

10/10

Days Above 95F

0

Hardiness Zone

N/A

Seeding Calendar — Zone 7A

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cool Seed (Best)
Cool Seed (OK)
Warm Seed (Best)
Warm Seed (OK)
Cool Seed (Best)
Cool Seed (OK)
Warm Seed (Best)
Warm Seed (OK)
Optimal (cool)
Acceptable (cool)
Optimal (warm)
Acceptable (warm)

Seasonal Lawn Care Checklist

Spring

  • Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil reaches 55F
  • Begin mowing when grass reaches 3 inches
  • Start irrigation if rainfall is below 1 inch/week
  • Soil test every 2-3 years — adjust lime or sulfur as needed

Summer

  • Mow at recommended height weekly
  • Water deeply 1-2 times per week (1 inch total)
  • Avoid fertilizing cool-season grasses in peak heat
  • Scout for grubs and treat if >10 per sq ft

Fall

  • Overseed warm-season lawns if thinning
  • Apply fall fertilizer (highest N application for cool-season)
  • Continue mowing until growth stops
  • Rake or mulch leaves to prevent smothering

Winter

  • Apply pre-emergent for winter weeds
  • Service mower and sharpen blades
  • Plan spring soil amendments based on fall test
  • Keep lawn clear of debris

Watering Deficit Calculator

50020,000 sq ft

Monthly Deficit

0.0"

inches of water

Monthly Water

0

gallons

Estimated Monthly Cost

$0.00

at $0.008/gallon average

Estimates based on 94" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.

Common Lawn Problems in Hoonah-Angoon Census Area

Excess Moisture & Fungal Disease

High annual rainfall (94 inches) increases risk of fungal diseases like brown patch and dollar spot. Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.

Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.

Want detailed soil composition, drainage classes, and soil series data? View soil details on SoilByCounty.com

Data sourced from USDA SSURGO, NOAA Climate Normals (1991-2020), USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and US Drought Monitor. Lawn difficulty scores and grass recommendations are estimates for informational purposes only.