Lawn Care Guide for Crawford County

Crawford County, Arkansas

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Crawford County, Arkansas

Crawford County's Balanced Growing Environment

Crawford County earns a lawn difficulty score of 47.7, making it one of the most manageable areas in Arkansas compared to the state average of 37.3. While it sits just below the national median of 50.0, the Zone 7b hardiness rating supports a wide variety of turfgrasses.

High Rainfall and Intense Summer Heat

Lawns here receive 52.2 inches of annual precipitation, which exceeds the ideal range of 30-50 inches and may require monitoring for fungal issues. With 65 extreme heat days over 90°F and 4,592 growing degree days, grass grows rapidly but faces significant heat stress in July.

Managing Acidic and Sandy Soil

The soil pH of 5.64 is more acidic than the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, likely requiring lime applications to improve nutrient uptake. The ground contains 47.6% sand and 14.6% clay, providing a loose structure that may struggle to retain moisture during the peak of summer.

Managing Moderate Seasonal Dry Spells

Over the past year, Crawford County experienced 12 weeks in drought conditions, with 100% of the area currently classified as abnormally dry. Homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering during the early morning to build root resilience against these recurring dry periods.

Building a Thriving Crawford County Lawn

Bermudagrass and Zoysia thrive in this Zone 7b climate, especially when established after the last frost on April 9. Focus on soil amendments to raise pH before the first fall frost hits on October 28 to ensure a healthy dormant season.

Lawn Difficulty Score

20/100
Easy
Rainfall14/100
Soil Quality0/100
Temperature32/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought23/100

Soil Summary

pH

5.6

Texture

N/A

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

1.9%

View full soil details

Recommended Grasses

Cool-SeasonTransition Zone

Tall Fescue

Festuca arundinacea

Drought: 4/5Shade: 3/5
Suitability70%
View Seeds
Warm-Season

Centipedegrass

Eremochloa ophiuroides

Drought: 3/5Shade: 3/5
Suitability70%
View Seeds
Warm-SeasonTransition Zone

Bermudagrass

Cynodon dactylon

Drought: 5/5Shade: 1/5
Suitability55%
View Seeds
Warm-SeasonTransition Zone

Zoysiagrass

Zoysia japonica

Drought: 4/5Shade: 3/5
Suitability55%
View Seeds

Climate Snapshot

Annual Precip

52.2"

Growing Degree Days

4,592.2

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

04/09

First Fall Frost

10/28

Days Above 95F

65

Hardiness Zone

7b

Seeding Calendar — Zone 7B

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 52" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.

Common Lawn Problems in Crawford County

Excess Moisture & Fungal Disease

High annual rainfall (52 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.