Lawn Care Guide for Pierce County

Pierce County, North Dakota

Lawn Difficulty Score

24/100
Easy
Rainfall57/100
Soil Quality0/100
Temperature4/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought8/100

Soil Summary

pH

7.2

Texture

N/A

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

4.0%

View full soil details

Recommended Grasses

Cool-Season

Wheatgrass

Agropyron cristatum

Drought: 5/5Shade: 1/5
Suitability80%
View Seeds
Warm-SeasonTransition Zone

Blue Grama

Bouteloua gracilis

Drought: 5/5Shade: 1/5
Suitability60%
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Cool-Season

Fine Fescue

Festuca spp.

Drought: 3/5Shade: 5/5
Suitability57%
View Seeds
Cool-SeasonTransition Zone

Tall Fescue

Festuca arundinacea

Drought: 4/5Shade: 3/5
Suitability56%
View Seeds

Climate Snapshot

Annual Precip

21.0"

Growing Degree Days

1,910.3

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

05/17

First Fall Frost

09/23

Days Above 95F

7

Hardiness Zone

3b

Seeding Calendar — Zone 3B

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cool Seed (Best)
Cool Seed (OK)
Cool Seed (Best)
Cool Seed (OK)
Optimal (cool)
Acceptable (cool)
Optimal (warm)
Acceptable (warm)

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

50020,000 sq ft

Monthly Deficit

1.9"

inches of water

Monthly Water

5,878

gallons

Estimated Monthly Cost

$47.03

at $0.008/gallon average

Estimates based on 21" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.

Common Lawn Problems in Pierce County

Drought Stress

With only 21 inches of annual rainfall, lawns in Pierce County face significant drought stress. Consider drought-tolerant grass species and deep, infrequent watering.

Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.

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.