Lawn Care Guide for Pulaski County
Pulaski County, Illinois
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Pulaski County, Illinois
Managing Southern Illinois Turf Challenges
Pulaski County scores a 60.4 on the lawn difficulty scale, making it more demanding than the Illinois average. The Zone 7a climate means longer growing seasons but more aggressive summer heat for your backyard turf.
High Growing Potential and Humidity
With 49.4 inches of rain and 41 extreme heat days, Pulaski County is much wetter and hotter than the state averages. The 4,461 growing degree days mean your mower will stay busy from early spring through late autumn.
Productive and Well-Drained Soil
Pulaski County features well-drained silt loam soil with a 6.14 pH, providing a solid foundation for turf growth. The 22.0% clay content offers good nutrient retention, but the excellent drainage helps prevent the root rot issues common in wetter Illinois counties.
Stable Moisture Despite Dry Spells
The county has only seen 10 weeks of drought in the last year, and currently, no areas are in severe drought. While 100% of the county is considered abnormally dry, your well-drained soil and high annual rainfall of nearly 50 inches provide a strong buffer.
A Long Window for Growth
With a late first frost date of November 5, Pulaski County offers one of the longest growing seasons in the state. Grass types like Tall Fescue are recommended for their ability to withstand the 41 days of heat while staying green into the late fall.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Recommended Grasses
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
49.4"
Growing Degree Days
4,460.7
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
04/03
First Fall Frost
11/05
Days Above 95F
41
Hardiness Zone
7a
Seeding Calendar — Zone 7A
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
0.0"
inches of water
Monthly Water
0
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$0.00
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 49" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
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.
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