LawnByCounty

Lawn Care Guide for Daviess County

Daviess County, Indiana

USDA SSURGO / PHZM

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Daviess County, Indiana

Typical Indiana Conditions in Daviess

Daviess County scores a 68.4 on the lawn difficulty scale, placing it just under the Indiana average of 71.0. Its Zone 6b classification means homeowners can grow a wide range of turf, though summer heat remains a factor.

Long Growing Season and Intense Heat

With 32 extreme heat days and 4206 growing degree days, lawns here face more thermal stress than the state average. The 48.0 inches of annual precipitation is usually sufficient, but timing is key during the hot July peak.

Heavy Soils Need Careful Drainage

The silty clay loam soil is poorly drained, which can lead to root rot if overwatered. With a pH of 6.08, the soil is naturally suited for grass, but aeration is likely necessary to manage the 18.1% clay content.

Maintaining Resilience Against Dryness

All of Daviess County is currently abnormally dry, but the region has only seen 3 weeks of drought in the past year. Focus on improving soil structure with organic matter to help your lawn navigate these occasional dry spells.

Optimizing Your Zone 6b Lawn

Heat-tolerant varieties like Tall Fescue thrive here, especially given the county's high heat day count. Start your seeding projects after the last frost on April 10 to maximize the long 6b growing season.

Lawn Difficulty Score

21/100
Easy
Rainfall6/100
Soil Quality0/100
Temperature16/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought6/100

Soil Summary

pH

6.1

Texture

Silty clay loam

Drainage

Poorly drained

Organic Matter

2.2%

View full soil details

Top Grass Fit for Daviess County

100/ 100

Excellent match

Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed

Outsidepride

Top cultivar score: 100/100

USDA Zone Match100

Zone 6b vs Kentucky Bluegrass's 3–7 band.

Soil pH Fit100

Soil pH 6.07538272623544 vs Kentucky Bluegrass's 6–7 window.

Moisture Fit100

Precipitation 47.98" + soil AWC vs Kentucky Bluegrass's 30–40" need.

Establishment Window100

Growing-degree-days + frost window vs a advanced-difficulty establishment.

Let's be direct: Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass is one of the best pure KBG seeds you can buy online, and it's not particularly close. Midnight is a specific cultivar — not a generic "Kentucky bluegrass blend" — and that distinction matters enormously.
From The Lawn Report editorial review • rated 4.7/5
Shop Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed

In Daviess County, USDA zone 6b, soil pH 6.1, silty clay loam, Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed scores 100/100 — a strong zone match, adequate moisture, and a long enough establishment window.

Recommended Grasses

Cool-Season

Kentucky Bluegrass

Poa pratensis

Drought: 2/5Shade: 2/5
Suitability70%
View Seeds
Cool-SeasonTransition Zone

Tall Fescue

Festuca arundinacea

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

Perennial Ryegrass

Lolium perenne

Drought: 2/5Shade: 2/5
Suitability70%
View Seeds
Cool-Season

Fine Fescue

Festuca spp.

Drought: 3/5Shade: 5/5
Suitability70%
View Seeds

Best Grass Seed for Daviess County

Zone 6bCool- and warm-season grasses thrive here.

Find Seeds for Zone 6b

Climate Snapshot

Annual Precip

48.0"

Growing Degree Days

4,205.8

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

04/10

First Fall Frost

10/25

Days Above 95F

32

Hardiness Zone

6b

Seeding Calendar — Zone 6B

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

Lawn Care Advisory: Daviess County

Lawn Verdict

Daviess County sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b, a transitional zone where cool-season grasses dominate but some warm-season varieties can survive. with winter lows reaching around -5.0°F. and 4,205.8 growing degree days annually, supporting vigorous warm-season lawns. Moderate rainfall (48.0 inches) generally supports healthy lawns with minimal supplemental watering.

Seasonal Breakdown

Wait until after April 10 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 77.1°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. With 31.6 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 25; this is the best renovation window. Cool winters (January averages 32.1°F) mean slow or dormant growth; keep debris off the lawn.

Watering Guidance

With 48.0 inches of annual rainfall, established lawns typically need watering only during extended dry spells. Currently, 100.0% of the county is in abnormally dry according to the US Drought Monitor. Standard warm-season watering of 1 inch per week is usually adequate during summer.

Regional Context

Daviess County is 3.9°F warmer than the Indiana average, it is somewhat wetter than the state average, USDA zone 6b 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 Daviess County in?
Daviess County is located in USDA hardiness zone 6b, based on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This zone helps determine which grass species are most likely to thrive in the county's climate.
What is the best grass for Daviess County?
Kentucky Bluegrass is the top recommendation for Daviess County, with a match score of 70/100. It grows best in zones 3a–7a and requires 30–40 inches of water annually.
How much rainfall does Daviess County get?
Daviess County receives an average of 48.0 inches of precipitation per year, based on NOAA 30-year climate normals. This provides adequate moisture for most lawn grasses with occasional supplemental watering during dry spells.
What is the soil pH in Daviess County?
The average soil pH in Daviess County is 6.1, based on USDA SSURGO data. This near-neutral pH supports most common lawn grasses with minimal soil amendment.

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.

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor