Lawn Care Guide for Claiborne County
Claiborne County, Tennessee
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Claiborne County, Tennessee
A Favorable Forecast for Claiborne Lawns
With a score of 58.4, Claiborne County is one of the easier places in Tennessee to keep a healthy lawn. It outperforms both the state average of 48.0 and the national median of 50.0.
Cooler Summers and Steady Rain
The county experiences only 19 extreme heat days, far below the Tennessee average of 36. This cooler climate, paired with 54.7 inches of annual rain, reduces the stress on your turf during the peak growing season.
Well-Drained Soil with Low pH
While the soil is naturally well-drained, the pH of 5.01 is significantly lower than the ideal 6.0 for lawns. The fine sandy loam texture is great for roots, but you will need to add lime to neutralize the acidity.
Short Drought Cycles Favor Turfgrowers
Claiborne County only saw 8 weeks of drought over the past year, making it more resilient than many of its neighbors. Even with 100% of the area currently being abnormally dry, the overall water stress remains relatively low.
Cool-Season Grasses Excel Here
Tall Fescue thrives in this 7a zone and is perfect for the 3,464 growing degree days. Plan your seeding for after the final frost on April 23rd to ensure your new lawn takes hold before the summer heat.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Recommended Grasses
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
54.7"
Growing Degree Days
3,464.3
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
04/23
First Fall Frost
10/19
Days Above 95F
19
Hardiness Zone
7a
Seeding Calendar — Zone 7A
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
0
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$0.00
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 55" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Claiborne County
Excess Moisture & Fungal Disease
High annual rainfall (55 inches) increases risk of fungal diseases like brown patch and dollar spot. Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.
Acidic Soil
Soil pH of 5.0 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.
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.
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