Lawn Care Guide for Navajo County
Navajo County, Arizona
USDA SSURGO / PHZMThis week in Navajo County · next up in about 3 weeks (Aug 19)
Get ready to seed cool-season grass — the best fall window is about to open.
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Navajo County, Arizona
A More Manageable High-Country Lawn
Navajo County’s lawn difficulty score of 33.1 makes it one of the easier places in Arizona to grow grass, though it still trails the national average of 50.0. This Zone 7a region offers a much cooler environment than the low-desert counties to the south.
Cooler Summers and Moderate Moisture
The county sees only 38 extreme heat days per year, which is far lower than the state average of 113. With 14.3 inches of annual rain, you still face a moisture deficit, but the 3,047 growing degree days indicate a much slower, more manageable growth pace.
Navigating High-Altitude Soil Needs
Localized soil data is limited for Navajo County, so testing your specific plot is essential for success. Most regional soils benefit from added compost to improve the structure and help retain the limited 14.3 inches of annual rainfall.
Staying Green Through Dry Spells
Navajo County has experienced drought for 53 consecutive weeks, and 81% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Mulching around lawn edges and maintaining a taller mow height can help the soil surface stay cool and retain precious moisture.
Timing Your Navajo County Planting
Hardy grasses like Buffalo grass or fine fescue thrive in this Zone 7a climate. Aim to seed or sod after the final spring frost on May 7, but well before the first fall frost arrives on October 15.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Navajo County
Cool-season grasses are the general fit here
County soil and zone data are incomplete, so we show a category recommendation rather than a precise cultivar score for Navajo County.
Recommended Grasses
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Choosing grass in Navajo County
Severe drought (53 wk in drought / yr) and cold winters (lows near 0°F) are the two things working hardest against a lawn in Navajo County. Here's how to choose for both — then the specific pick.
- Drought-tolerant grass seedWhat survives where water is scarce and often restricted.
- Cold-hardy hybrid bluegrassA transition-zone option built to shrug off winterkill.
- Kentucky Bluegrass, explainedTraits, care, and where Kentucky Bluegrass wins — the species behind your top match.
Top match for Navajo County: Kentucky Bluegrass
See the full breakdownPremium Grass Seeds is a sister site in our network. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through its retailer links — this never affects your price. Guidance here reflects your county’s climate and soil data, not hands-on testing.
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
14.3"
Growing Degree Days
3,047.145
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
05/07
First Fall Frost
10/15
Days Above 95F
38
Hardiness Zone
7a
Seeding Calendar — Navajo County
Personalized to this county’s frost dates — a 161-day growing season. Windows below are computed from local last-spring and first-fall frost normals, so they differ county-to-county even within USDA Zone 7A.
Plan your seeding — Navajo County
Pick a grass and a goal to get a personalized schedule anchored to this county’s frost dates.
- 1Prepare the seedbedMay 6 – May 19
Mow low, dethatch or rake, and loosen the top ½ inch of soil so seed makes good contact.
- 2Sow seedMay 20 – Jun 17
Best window to sow Bermudagrass in Navajo County, anchored to your local frost dates.
- 3EstablishJun 18 – Jul 15
Protect young seedlings: mow only after they reach ~3 inches and hold off on weed pre-emergents until established.
Keep the seedbed consistently moist — roughly ¼ inch of water daily, split into shorter cycles if the surface dries out quickly. County-specific soil texture isn’t available here, so adjust to how fast your own soil drains.
You’re in the transition zone — both cool- and warm-season grasses can work; the schedule above follows the species you selected.
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
Monthly Deficit
2.6"
inches of water
Monthly Water
8,163
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$65.31
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 14" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Navajo County
Drought Stress
With only 14 inches of annual rainfall, lawns in Navajo County face significant drought stress. Consider drought-tolerant grass species and deep, infrequent watering.
Persistent Drought Conditions
Navajo County experienced drought conditions for 53 of the past 52 weeks. Prioritize water-efficient grasses and consider reducing lawn area.
Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.
Lawn Care Advisory: Navajo County
Lawn Verdict
Navajo County falls in USDA hardiness zone 7a, a favorable range for both cool- and warm-season grasses. with winter lows reaching around 0.0°F. and 3,047.145 growing degree days, sufficient for most common turfgrasses. Low rainfall (14.3 inches) means supplemental irrigation is essential during summer months.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after May 7 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 73.6°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. With 38.336363636363636 days above 90°F annually, warm-season grasses recover faster from summer stress than cool-season types. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before October 15; this is the best renovation window. Cool winters (January averages 33.7°F) mean slow or dormant growth; keep debris off the lawn.
Watering Guidance
Low annual precipitation (14.3 inches) makes irrigation essential for maintaining green turf through summer. Currently, 80.9% of the county is in abnormally dry according to the US Drought Monitor. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
Navajo County is 10.6°F cooler than the Arizona average, the growing season is noticeably shorter than the state average, USDA zone 7a helps guide grass selection compared to neighboring counties.
Want detailed soil composition, drainage classes, and soil series data? View soil details on SoilByCounty.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What USDA hardiness zone is Navajo County in?
What is the best grass for Navajo County?
How long is the growing season in Navajo County?
How much rainfall does Navajo County get?
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.
Explore more data for Navajo County