Lawn Care Guide for Burleigh County
Burleigh County, North Dakota
USDA SSURGO / PHZMData Story
About Lawn Care in Burleigh County, North Dakota
Above Average Growth in Burleigh County
Burleigh County offers a relatively friendly environment for lawns with a difficulty score of 55.2. This score is higher than the national median and the North Dakota state average of 54.0.
High Growing Degrees for Rapid Growth
With 2,340 growing degree days, grass in Burleigh County develops faster than in much of the state. The 19.7 inches of annual rainfall closely matches the state average, though 17 extreme heat days require attentive summer watering.
Standard North Dakota Soil Profile
A soil pH of 7.10 provides an ideal baseline for most grass species. The 40.8% sand and 19.7% clay mix is common for the region, though specific drainage and texture classes are not available for this county.
Ten Weeks of Drought Resilience
Burleigh County endured 10 weeks of drought in the past year, which is moderate for the region. To conserve water during these times, avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day and keep your blades sharp.
Take Advantage of a Long Season
The frost-free window begins on May 11th and extends until September 29th, providing ample time for seeding. Zone 4a grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass are the local standard for durability and color.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Burleigh County
Excellent match
Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade
Pennington
Top cultivar score: 86/100
Estimated — county soil data incomplete.
Zone 4a vs Tall Fescue's 3–8 band.
Soil pH 7.09782263884206 vs Tall Fescue's 5.5–6.5 window.
Precipitation 19.700000000000003" + 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 Burleigh County, USDA zone 4a, soil pH 7.1, Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade scores 86/100 — 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 4a is below Pennington Zenith Zoysia Grass Seed & Mulch's effective range (5–10); not recommended for this county.
- Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass — USDA zone 4a 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
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
19.7"
Growing Degree Days
2,339.933
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
05/11
First Fall Frost
09/29
Days Above 95F
17
Hardiness Zone
4a
Seeding Calendar — Zone 4A
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
2.1"
inches of water
Monthly Water
6,522
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$52.18
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 20" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Burleigh County
Drought Stress
With only 20 inches of annual rainfall, lawns in Burleigh County face significant drought stress. Consider drought-tolerant grass species and deep, infrequent watering.
Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.
Lawn Care Advisory: Burleigh County
Lawn Verdict
Burleigh County is in USDA hardiness zone 4a, one of the coldest zones in the country. with winter lows reaching around -30.0°F. though only 2,339.933 growing degree days favor cool-season varieties like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. Low rainfall (19.7 inches) means supplemental irrigation is essential during summer months.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after May 11 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 70.9°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before September 29; this is the best renovation window. Winters are harsh (January averages 12.7°F); avoid foot traffic on frozen turf and plan snow mold prevention.
Watering Guidance
Low annual precipitation (19.7 inches) makes irrigation essential for maintaining green turf through summer. The county is currently free of drought conditions. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
Burleigh County is close to the North Dakota average temperature, USDA zone 4a 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 Burleigh County in?
What is the best grass for Burleigh County?
How much rainfall does Burleigh County get?
What is the soil pH in Burleigh 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 Burleigh County