Lawn Care Guide for Coffee County

Coffee County, Tennessee

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Coffee County, Tennessee

Steady Growth Conditions in Coffee County

Coffee County holds a lawn difficulty score of 54.1, indicating it is slightly easier to maintain a yard here than in the rest of Tennessee. This score outperforms the national median of 50.0 as well.

Coping with Heavy Southern Rains

The county receives a high 60.1 inches of precipitation annually, which is well above the ideal range. However, with only 19 extreme heat days, lawns are less likely to suffer from the mid-summer burnout seen elsewhere in the state.

Well-Drained Silt Loam Foundation

The gravelly silt loam soil is classified as well-drained, which helps manage the high annual rainfall. You may still need lime to address the 5.37 pH, as most turf thrives closer to a neutral 6.0 or 7.0.

Resilient Turfs and Drought Cycles

The county only spent 9 weeks in drought over the last year, despite 100% currently being abnormally dry. This relatively short drought history helps established lawns recover quickly without permanent damage.

Plan Your Seeding for Mid-April

Tall Fescue is a durable choice for this 7b zone, handling the 4,099 growing degree days with ease. Aim to get your seeds in the ground after the April 6th frost date to ensure strong germination.

Lawn Difficulty Score

32/100
Moderate
Rainfall60/100
Soil Quality20/100
Temperature9/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought17/100

Soil Summary

pH

5.4

Texture

Gravelly silt loam

Drainage

Well drained

Organic Matter

1.8%

View full soil details

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

Climate Snapshot

Annual Precip

60.1"

Growing Degree Days

4,099.433

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

04/06

First Fall Frost

10/30

Days Above 95F

19

Hardiness Zone

7b

Seeding Calendar — Zone 7B

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

  • 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

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 60" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.

Common Lawn Problems in Coffee County

Excess Moisture & Fungal Disease

High annual rainfall (60 inches) increases risk of fungal diseases like brown patch and dollar spot. Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.

Acidic Soil

Soil pH of 5.4 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.