Lawn Care Guide for Ouachita County
Ouachita County, Arkansas
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Ouachita County, Arkansas
Intense Heat and Challenging Turf Conditions
Ouachita County presents a tough environment with a lawn difficulty score of 31.6, well below the state average of 37.3. This Zone 8a county is one of the more demanding regions in Arkansas for maintaining a green lawn.
Extreme Heat Dominates the Calendar
The county faces a staggering 82 extreme heat days per year, nearly 20 days more than the state average. This heat, combined with 5,402 growing degree days, puts immense stress on turf and requires aggressive irrigation during the peak of summer.
Sandy Soils and Excessive Drainage
The loamy sand texture and 56.4% sand content mean water moves through the soil very quickly. With a low pH of 5.16, you will need to add organic matter and lime to help the soil hold onto both water and essential nutrients.
Severe Drought in a Sandy Landscape
Currently, 84.2% of the county is in Severe Drought, and the sandy soil makes this even harder on plants. To survive 17 weeks of drought, use drought-tolerant species and avoid mowing too short during the hottest months.
Tough Grasses for a Tough Climate
Bermudagrass is the top recommendation here for its heat and drought tolerance. Start your lawn after the early frost date of March 21 to take full advantage of the long growing season that lasts until November.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Soil Summary
pH
5.2
Texture
Loamy sand
Drainage
Somewhat excessively drained
Organic Matter
1.6%
Recommended Grasses
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
53.1"
Growing Degree Days
5,402.1
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
03/21
First Fall Frost
11/06
Days Above 95F
82
Hardiness Zone
8a
Seeding Calendar — Zone 8A
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
- Raise mowing height to reduce heat stress
- 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
- Overseed with ryegrass for winter color
Watering Deficit Calculator
Monthly Deficit
0.0"
inches of water
Monthly Water
0
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$0.00
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 53" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Ouachita County
Excess Moisture & Fungal Disease
High annual rainfall (53 inches) increases risk of fungal diseases like brown patch and dollar spot. Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.
Acidic Soil
Soil pH of 5.2 is below the ideal range for most grasses (6.0-7.0). Apply agricultural lime to raise pH gradually.
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.
Explore more data for Ouachita County