Lawn Care Guide for Greene County

Greene County, Tennessee

Data Story

About Lawn Care in Greene County, Tennessee

Greene County's Above-Average Lawns

Greene County features a lawn difficulty score of 57.7, outperforming the state average of 48.0. Residents in this 7b zone enjoy conditions that are generally more favorable than the national median of 50.0.

Managing Growth with Less Rain

At 46.4 inches of annual precipitation, Greene County is drier than the Tennessee average of 55.6 inches but still within the ideal range. Lawns navigate 32 extreme heat days and nearly 4,000 growing degree days each year.

Balancing Silt Loam Acidity

The soil pH of 5.26 is moderately acidic, requiring amendments to reach the ideal 6.0 range. The ground is a silt loam mixture with 20.5% clay and 30.7% sand, providing a moderately well-drained foundation for most turf types.

Preparing for Severe Dry Spells

Over 10% of the county currently faces severe drought, and the area spent 15 weeks in drought over the last year. During these periods, focus on deep watering twice a week rather than light daily sprinkling.

Timing for the Greene County Climate

Tall fescue is the standard for this region, but you must seed carefully around the April 20 last frost date. Ensure your lawn is well-established before the first fall frost arrives on October 22.

Lawn Difficulty Score

20/100
Easy
Rainfall3/100
Soil Quality20/100
Temperature16/100
Growing Season40/100
Drought29/100

Soil Summary

pH

5.3

Texture

Silt loam

Drainage

Moderately well drained

Organic Matter

3.6%

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

46.4"

Growing Degree Days

3,995.7

Base 50F

Last Spring Frost

04/20

First Fall Frost

10/22

Days Above 95F

32

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

64

gallons

Estimated Monthly Cost

$0.51

at $0.008/gallon average

Estimates based on 46" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.

Common Lawn Problems in Greene 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.

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.