LawnByCounty

Lawn Care Guide for Pushmataha County

Pushmataha County, Oklahoma

USDA SSURGO / PHZM

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma

Challenging Conditions in Pushmataha

Pushmataha County has a lawn difficulty score of 36.0, indicating significant hurdles for homeowners. As part of hardiness zone 8a, it is one of the warmest regions in the state, requiring specialized care.

High Rainfall and Intense Heat

This county is quite wet, receiving 49.9 inches of rain annually—nearly 13 inches more than the state average. However, 75 days of extreme heat and 5,203 growing degree days create a tropical-like environment that can stress many grass types.

Acidic and Sandy Soil Profile

A soil pH of 5.32 is quite acidic and will likely require lime to support standard lawn grasses. With 50.4% sand, nutrients and water move through the soil rapidly, necessitating frequent, light fertilization.

Abnormally Dry but Managing Well

The county is currently 100% abnormally dry, though only 1.7% is in severe drought after 21 weeks of dry weather. The high annual rainfall usually helps, but the sandy soil means drought symptoms appear quickly without supplemental water.

Warm-Season Champions for Zone 8a

The April 11 to November 1 growing season is perfect for heat-loving species like Bahiagrass or Bermuda. These types handle the 75 extreme heat days better than cool-season varieties which struggle in the local humidity.

Lawn Difficulty Score

27/100
Easy
Rainfall10/100
Soil Quality20/100
Temperature37/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought40/100

Soil Summary

pH

5.3

Texture

Water

Drainage

N/A

Organic Matter

1.0%

View full soil details

Top Grass Fit for Pushmataha County

92/ 100

Excellent match

Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra

Jonathan Green

Top cultivar score: 92/100

USDA Zone Match100

Zone 8a vs Tall Fescue's 3–8 band.

Soil pH Fit60

Soil pH 5.32348439154984 vs Tall Fescue's 5.5–6.5 window.

Moisture Fit100

Precipitation 49.86" + soil AWC vs Tall Fescue's 20–30" need.

Establishment Window100

Growing-degree-days + frost window vs a intermediate-difficulty establishment.

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From The Lawn Report editorial review • rated 4.7/5
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In Pushmataha County, USDA zone 8a, soil pH 5.3, water, Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra scores 92/100 — a strong zone match, adequate moisture, and a long enough establishment window.

Recommended Grasses

Warm-Season

Centipedegrass

Eremochloa ophiuroides

Drought: 3/5Shade: 3/5
Suitability70%
View Seeds
Cool-SeasonTransition Zone

Tall Fescue

Festuca arundinacea

Drought: 4/5Shade: 3/5
Suitability55%
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

Best Grass Seed for Pushmataha County

Zone 8aCool- and warm-season grasses thrive here.

Find Seeds for Zone 8a

Climate Snapshot

Annual Precip

49.9"

Growing Degree Days

5,203.45

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

04/11

First Fall Frost

11/01

Days Above 95F

75

Hardiness Zone

8a

Seeding Calendar — Zone 8A

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

  • Raise mowing height to reduce heat stress
  • 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
  • Overseed with ryegrass for winter color

Watering Deficit Calculator

50020,000 sq ft

Monthly Deficit

0.0"

inches of water

Monthly Water

0

gallons

Estimated Monthly Cost

$0.00

at $0.008/gallon average

Estimates based on 50" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.

Common Lawn Problems in Pushmataha County

Acidic Soil

Soil pH of 5.3 is below the ideal range for most grasses (6.0-7.0). Apply agricultural lime to raise pH gradually.

Persistent Drought Conditions

Pushmataha County experienced drought conditions for 21 of the past 52 weeks. Prioritize water-efficient grasses and consider reducing lawn area.

Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.

Lawn Care Advisory: Pushmataha County

Lawn Verdict

Pushmataha County falls in USDA hardiness zone 8a, a favorable range for both cool- and warm-season grasses. with winter lows reaching around 10.0°F. and 5,203.45 growing degree days annually, supporting vigorous warm-season lawns. Moderate rainfall (49.9 inches) generally supports healthy lawns with minimal supplemental watering.

Seasonal Breakdown

Wait until after April 11 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Summers are warm (July averages 81.7°F); monitor for heat stress and water when soil is dry 2-3 inches down. With 74.95 days above 90°F annually, warm-season grasses recover faster from summer stress than cool-season types. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before November 1; this is the best renovation window. Mild winters (January averages 40.3°F) allow year-round mowing for warm-season lawns and minimal dormancy.

Watering Guidance

With 49.9 inches of annual rainfall, established lawns typically need watering only during extended dry spells. Currently, 100.0% of the county is in moderate drought according to the US Drought Monitor. Consider reducing irrigation frequency and allowing cool-season lawns to go semi-dormant during peak heat. Standard warm-season watering of 1 inch per week is usually adequate during summer.

Regional Context

Pushmataha County is close to the Oklahoma average temperature, it is significantly wetter than the state average (12.6 inches more), USDA zone 8a 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 Pushmataha County in?
Pushmataha County is located in USDA hardiness zone 8a, based on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This zone helps determine which grass species are most likely to thrive in the county's climate.
What is the best grass for Pushmataha County?
Centipedegrass is the top recommendation for Pushmataha County, with a match score of 70/100. It grows best in zones 7b–9a and requires 20–30 inches of water annually.
How much rainfall does Pushmataha County get?
Pushmataha County receives an average of 49.9 inches of precipitation per year, based on NOAA 30-year climate normals. This provides adequate moisture for most lawn grasses with occasional supplemental watering during dry spells.
What is the soil pH in Pushmataha County?
The average soil pH in Pushmataha County is 5.3, based on USDA SSURGO data. This acidic soil may benefit from lime application to raise pH for optimal grass growth.

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.

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor