Lawn Care Guide for Clearfield County
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
USDA SSURGO / PHZMThis week in Clearfield County · next up in about 3 weeks (Aug 17)
Get ready to seed cool-season grass — the best fall window is about to open.
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania
Favorable Growth in Clearfield
Clearfield County earns a lawn difficulty score of 59.7, making it easier to maintain than the national median of 50.0 and slightly above the state average. This Zone 6a region provides a steady environment for cool-season grasses to thrive with moderate effort.
Mild Summers Support Consistent Growth
The county receives 44.3 inches of annual precipitation, which sits comfortably near the state average of 45.2 inches. With only 4 extreme heat days per year and 2,456 growing degree days, your grass avoids the heavy thermal stress common in southern counties.
Amending Acidic Mountain Soils
The local soil pH of 4.91 is significantly more acidic than the ideal 6.0 to 7.0 range for healthy turf. You will need regular lime applications to manage the 10.9% clay and 22.5% sand mix found throughout the county.
Navigating Abnormally Dry Spells
Clearfield faced 15 weeks in drought over the last year, and 100.0% of the area is currently classified as abnormally dry. Focus on deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root systems that can survive these dry periods.
Planting for Success in Zone 6a
Hardy cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue perform best in this climate. Plan your seeding projects between the last spring frost on May 4 and the first fall frost on October 13 for optimal establishment.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Clearfield County
Excellent match
Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade
Pennington
Top cultivar score: 86/100
Estimated — county soil data incomplete.
Zone 6a vs Tall Fescue's 3–8 band.
Soil pH 4.91016983394914 vs Tall Fescue's 5.5–6.5 window.
Precipitation 44.34" + 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 Clearfield County, USDA zone 6a, soil pH 4.9, Pennington Smart Seed Sun & Shade scores 86/100 — a strong zone match, adequate moisture, and a long enough establishment window.
Recommended Grasses
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Choosing grass in Clearfield County
Acidic soil (pH 4.9) is the main thing shaping grass choice in Clearfield County. Here's how to work with it — then the specific pick.
- Amending your soil before you seedLime, timing, and the acid-tolerant shortlist.
- Tall Fescue, explainedTraits, care, and where Tall Fescue wins — the species behind your top match.
Top match for Clearfield County: Tall Fescue
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
44.3"
Growing Degree Days
2,456.4
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
05/04
First Fall Frost
10/13
Days Above 95F
4
Hardiness Zone
6a
Seeding Calendar — Clearfield County
Personalized to this county’s frost dates — a 162-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 — Clearfield County
Pick a grass and a goal to get a personalized schedule anchored to this county’s frost dates.
- 1Prepare the seedbedAug 3 – Aug 16
Mow low, dethatch or rake, and loosen the top ½ inch of soil so seed makes good contact.
- 2Sow seedAug 17 – Sep 14
Best window to sow Kentucky Bluegrass in Clearfield County, anchored to your local frost dates.
- 3EstablishSep 15 – Oct 12
Protect young seedlings: mow only after they reach ~3 inches and hold off on weed pre-emergents until established.
Organic (muck/peat) soil holds moisture — a single ¼-inch watering most days is usually enough; let the surface dry slightly between cycles to prevent algae and damping-off.
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
0.0"
inches of water
Monthly Water
28
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$0.22
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 44" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Clearfield County
Acidic Soil
Soil pH of 4.9 is below the ideal range for most grasses (6.0-7.0). Apply agricultural lime to raise pH gradually.
Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.
Lawn Care Advisory: Clearfield County
Lawn Verdict
Clearfield 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. though only 2,456.4 growing degree days favor cool-season varieties like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. Moderate rainfall (44.3 inches) generally supports healthy lawns with minimal supplemental watering.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after May 4 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 69.8°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before October 13; this is the best renovation window. Cool winters (January averages 24.4°F) mean slow or dormant growth; keep debris off the lawn.
Watering Guidance
With 44.3 inches of annual rainfall, established lawns typically need watering only during extended dry spells. Currently, 100.0% of the county is in abnormally dry according to the US Drought Monitor. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
Clearfield County is close to the Pennsylvania average temperature, USDA zone 6a helps guide grass selection compared to neighboring counties.
Dig deeper into Clearfield County
Clearfield County is a USDA Zone 6A, organic-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 Clearfield County in?
What is the best grass for Clearfield County?
How long is the growing season in Clearfield County?
How much rainfall does Clearfield County get?
What is the soil pH in Clearfield 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 Clearfield County