Lawn Care Guide for Queen Anne's County

Queen Anne's County, Maryland

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Queen Anne's County, Maryland

Favorable Conditions for Eastern Shore Lawns

Queen Anne’s County earns a high lawn difficulty score of 62.4, making it much easier to manage than the national average. Situated in Zone 7b, the county offers a balanced environment for several popular turf varieties.

Abundant Rain and Growing Energy

The county receives 46.9 inches of annual precipitation, which is well within the ideal 30-50 inch range. With 4193 growing degree days, the climate provides ample thermal energy for steady grass development.

Sandy Loam Needs Nutrient Support

A soil pH of 5.74 is slightly acidic, so a light application of lime may help reach the 6.0 target. The soil is 36.9% sand, providing decent drainage but requiring watchful fertilization to prevent nutrient runoff.

Resilient Landscapes with Low Drought Risk

Only 12 weeks were spent in drought last year, and only 10.2% of the county is currently flagged as abnormally dry. This relative moisture stability makes Queen Anne's one of the more resilient areas in Maryland for turf care.

An Early Start for Coastal Greenery

You can begin your lawn projects as early as March 29 following the final spring frost. Zone 7b favors perennial ryegrass or fescue blends that can thrive in the county's moderate 79.5°F July temperatures.

Lawn Difficulty Score

14/100
Easy
Rainfall4/100
Soil Quality0/100
Temperature16/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought23/100

Soil Summary

pH

5.7

Texture

N/A

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

12.1%

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

46.9"

Growing Degree Days

4,192.8

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

03/29

First Fall Frost

11/12

Days Above 95F

32

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

0.1"

inches of water

Monthly Water

238

gallons

Estimated Monthly Cost

$1.90

at $0.008/gallon average

Estimates based on 47" 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.