Lawn Care Guide for Fillmore County
Fillmore County, Minnesota
USDA SSURGO / PHZMData Story
About Lawn Care in Fillmore County, Minnesota
Abundant Water Makes Growing Easy
Fillmore County is a standout with a lawn difficulty score of 80.5, placing it well above the state average of 63.9. This Zone 4b county benefits from the highest annual precipitation in this group, making it much easier to keep lawns lush and green.
The Most Rain in the Region
A generous 36.9 inches of rain falls annually, providing an excellent natural water supply for your lawn. With 8 extreme heat days—exactly the state average—turfgrass here is less likely to go dormant compared to drier western counties.
A Healthy Foundation for Roots
Soil pH is excellent at 6.48, which is right in the middle of the 6.0-7.0 ideal window. The soil texture features 34.1% sand and 18.9% clay, creating a balanced medium that provides both drainage and nutrient-holding capacity.
Strong Resistance to Dryness
Despite six weeks of drought over the past year, the county currently has zero abnormally dry areas. This natural resilience means you can likely rely on rainfall alone for much of the season, saving on water bills and conservation effort.
Mind the Late Spring Frost
While the climate is great, a late spring frost on May 14 means you should wait longer than your neighbors to start sensitive projects. Plant cold-hardy varieties in the early fall to establish roots before the October 3 frost arrives.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Fillmore County
Excellent match
Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade
Pennington
Top cultivar score: 100/100
Estimated — county soil data incomplete.
Zone 4b vs Tall Fescue's 3–8 band.
Soil pH 6.47593623491494 vs Tall Fescue's 5.5–6.5 window.
Precipitation 36.946" + soil AWC vs Tall Fescue's 20–30" need.
Growing-degree-days + frost window vs a beginner-difficulty establishment.
Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade is the best value in the cool-season grass seed market. Period. You get a quality fescue/KBG blend with genuine drought tolerance coating at a price point significantly below premium options like BBU or Barenbrug RTF.
In Fillmore County, USDA zone 4b, soil pH 6.5, Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade scores 100/100 — a strong zone match, adequate moisture, and a long enough establishment window.
Why we ruled these out
- Pennington Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch — USDA zone 4b is below Pennington Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch's effective range (5–10); not recommended for this county.
- Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass — USDA zone 4b is below Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass's effective range (6–11); not recommended for this county.
See our fit-score methodology for how survivability is determined.
Recommended Grasses
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
36.9"
Growing Degree Days
2,377.35
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
05/14
First Fall Frost
10/03
Days Above 95F
8
Hardiness Zone
4b
Seeding Calendar — Zone 4B
Seasonal Lawn Care Checklist
Spring
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil reaches 55F
- Overseed bare spots once frost risk passes
- 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
- Core aerate compacted areas
- Apply fall fertilizer (highest N application for cool-season)
- Continue mowing until growth stops
- Rake or mulch leaves to prevent smothering
Winter
- Avoid walking on frozen turf
- Service mower and sharpen blades
- Plan spring soil amendments based on fall test
- Keep lawn clear of debris
Watering Deficit Calculator
Monthly Deficit
0.6"
inches of water
Monthly Water
1,975
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$15.80
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 37" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Lawn Care Advisory: Fillmore County
Lawn Verdict
Fillmore County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b, one of the coldest zones in the country. with winter lows reaching around -25.0°F. though only 2,377.35 growing degree days favor cool-season varieties like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. Moderate rainfall (36.9 inches) generally supports healthy lawns with minimal supplemental watering.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after May 14 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 70.2°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before October 3; this is the best renovation window. Winters are harsh (January averages 14.6°F); avoid foot traffic on frozen turf and plan snow mold prevention.
Watering Guidance
With 36.9 inches of annual rainfall, established lawns typically need watering only during extended dry spells. The county is currently free of drought conditions. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
Fillmore County is close to the Minnesota average temperature, it is somewhat wetter than the state average, USDA zone 4b 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 Fillmore County in?
What is the best grass for Fillmore County?
How much rainfall does Fillmore County get?
What is the soil pH in Fillmore County?
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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