Lawn Care Guide for Daviess County
Daviess County, Missouri
USDA SSURGO / PHZMThis week in Daviess County · next up in about 4 weeks (Aug 25)
Get ready to seed cool-season grass — the best fall window is about to open.
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Daviess County, Missouri
Superior Lawn Growth in Daviess County
Daviess County is a top performer with a lawn difficulty score of 83.9, one of the easiest regions for turf in Missouri. This score is significantly higher than the state average of 63.7 and the national median of 50.0. The Zone 6a climate here provides a very hospitable environment for home gardeners.
Cooler Summers and Moderate Rainfall
With only 29 extreme heat days and 39.6 inches of rain, the climate is much milder than southern Missouri counties. The 3,461 growing degree days represent a shorter, more concentrated growing season that is easy to manage. This balance reduces the risk of heat-related dormancy and common summer turf diseases.
Stable Soil with Excellent pH
The soil pH of 6.36 is nearly ideal for a vibrant, green lawn without the need for heavy chemical adjustments. While the soil is subaqueous and contains 27.3% clay, its high nutrient capacity supports vigorous growth when drainage is managed. The 15.2% sand content provides just enough structure to prevent total soil compaction.
Minimal Drought Stress and High Resilience
Daviess County saw only 9 weeks of drought in the past year, and currently, only 37.7% of the area is abnormally dry. This makes it one of the most drought-resilient areas in the state, requiring less supplemental irrigation than its neighbors. Standard watering practices during the hottest weeks are usually sufficient to maintain health.
Lush Zone 6a Lawns are Within Reach
Kentucky Bluegrass thrives in these cooler conditions and the rich soil of Daviess County. With the last spring frost on April 19 and the first fall frost on October 21, you have a reliable window for lawn projects. Fall is the best time for overseeding to keep your lawn dense and weed-resistant for the following year.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Daviess County
Excellent match
Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed
Outsidepride
Top cultivar score: 100/100
Zone 6a vs Kentucky Bluegrass's 3–7 band.
Soil pH 6.36379053412291 vs Kentucky Bluegrass's 6–7 window.
Precipitation 39.585" + soil AWC vs Kentucky Bluegrass's 30–40" need.
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.
In Daviess County, USDA zone 6a, soil pH 6.4, Outsidepride Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed scores 100/100 — a strong zone match, adequate moisture, and a long enough establishment window.
Recommended Grasses
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Choosing grass in Daviess County
Your loamy soil and cool-season conditions narrow the field fast. Here's how to think it through for Daviess County — then the specific pick.
- Best cool-season grass seed for fallYour prime seeding window and the top cool-season picks.
- How grass cultivars get scored (NTEP)The independent trial data behind every species ranking.
- Kentucky Bluegrass, explainedTraits, care, and where Kentucky Bluegrass wins — the species behind your top match.
Top match for Daviess County: Kentucky Bluegrass
See the full breakdownPremium Grass Seeds is a sister site in our network. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through its retailer links — this never affects your price. Guidance here reflects your county’s climate and soil data, not hands-on testing.
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
39.6"
Growing Degree Days
3,461.1
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
04/19
First Fall Frost
10/21
Days Above 95F
29
Hardiness Zone
6a
Seeding Calendar — Daviess County
Personalized to this county’s frost dates — a 185-day growing season. Windows below are computed from local last-spring and first-fall frost normals, so they differ county-to-county even within USDA Zone 6A.
Plan your seeding — Daviess County
Pick a grass and a goal to get a personalized schedule anchored to this county’s frost dates.
- 1Prepare the seedbedAug 11 – Aug 24
Mow low, dethatch or rake, and loosen the top ½ inch of soil so seed makes good contact.
- 2Sow seedAug 25 – Sep 22
Best window to sow Kentucky Bluegrass in Daviess County, anchored to your local frost dates.
- 3EstablishSep 23 – Oct 20
Protect young seedlings: mow only after they reach ~3 inches and hold off on weed pre-emergents until established.
Loam holds moisture evenly — water about ¼ inch once or twice daily to keep the top inch of the seedbed consistently moist until germination.
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
0.6"
inches of water
Monthly Water
1,794
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$14.35
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 40" 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 6a, a transitional zone where cool-season grasses dominate but some warm-season varieties can survive. with winter lows reaching around -10.0°F. and 3,461.1 growing degree days, sufficient for most common turfgrasses. Moderate rainfall (39.6 inches) generally supports healthy lawns with minimal supplemental watering.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after April 19 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 75.7°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before October 21; this is the best renovation window. Cool winters (January averages 24.9°F) mean slow or dormant growth; keep debris off the lawn.
Watering Guidance
With 39.6 inches of annual rainfall, established lawns typically need watering only during extended dry spells. Currently, 95.0% 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 3.3°F cooler than the Missouri average, it is somewhat drier than the state average, USDA zone 6a helps guide grass selection compared to neighboring counties.
Dig deeper into Daviess County
Daviess County is a USDA Zone 6A, loamy-soil, cool-season county. Explore the data that shapes its lawn:
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?
What is the best grass for Daviess County?
How long is the growing season in Daviess County?
How much rainfall does Daviess County get?
What is the soil pH in Daviess 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.
Explore more data for Daviess County