Lawn Care Guide for Bulloch County

Bulloch County, Georgia

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Bulloch County, Georgia

Tough turf conditions in Bulloch

Bulloch County carries a lawn difficulty score of 25.8, making it harder to manage than the Georgia state average. This Zone 8b county requires a proactive approach to maintain a healthy, green appearance throughout the year.

Heat and growth are high

The county sees 80 extreme heat days and a high 6,322 growing degree days. This combination means grass grows fast but is under constant thermal stress, necessitating careful irrigation and mowing practices.

Acidic sandy soil needs attention

With a high sand content of 81.5% and a low pH of 5.19, your soil is both acidic and likely to lose nutrients quickly. Regular lime applications are necessary to bring the pH up to the healthy 6.0-7.0 range for grass.

Extended drought period for Bulloch

Bulloch has faced 35 weeks of drought in the past year, and 100% of the county currently sits in severe drought. Focus on deep root growth by watering infrequently and keeping your grass height higher to shade the soil.

Start planting in early March

The local frost-free window begins around March 7th and lasts until late November. Centipede and Zoysia are top choices for these acidic, sandy soils and can stand up to the 80 days of extreme heat.

Lawn Difficulty Score

36/100
Moderate
Rainfall4/100
Soil Quality50/100
Temperature40/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought67/100

Soil Summary

pH

5.2

Texture

N/A

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

1.5%

View full soil details

Recommended Grasses

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
Warm-Season

St. Augustinegrass

Stenotaphrum secundatum

Drought: 2/5Shade: 4/5
Suitability55%
View Seeds

Climate Snapshot

Annual Precip

47.0"

Growing Degree Days

6,322

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

03/07

First Fall Frost

11/21

Days Above 95F

80

Hardiness Zone

8b

Seeding Calendar — Zone 8B

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

  • 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

50020,000 sq ft

Monthly Deficit

0.1"

inches of water

Monthly Water

465

gallons

Estimated Monthly Cost

$3.72

at $0.008/gallon average

Estimates based on 47" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.

Common Lawn Problems in Bulloch County

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.

Persistent Drought Conditions

Bulloch County experienced drought conditions for 35 of the past 52 weeks. Prioritize water-efficient grasses and consider reducing lawn area.

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.