Lawn Care Guide for Goliad County
Goliad County, Texas
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Goliad County, Texas
Warm and Sandy Coastal Plains
Goliad County earns a lawn difficulty score of 32.8, placing it slightly above the Texas state average of 31.7. This Zone 9a region offers a long growing season but requires significant heat management.
Intense Heat with Decent Rain
Residents navigate 122 extreme heat days, which is much higher than the state average of 105. While 35.2 inches of annual rain helps, the 7,577 growing degree days mean grass grows fast and needs frequent mowing.
Neutral Soils for Easy Growth
A soil pH of 7.06 is near-neutral, making it easy to manage without heavy lime or sulfur treatments. The soil is 59.1% sand, which offers good drainage but means you must monitor moisture levels closely during the summer.
Severe Drought Persistence
The entire county is currently experiencing severe drought, having dealt with these conditions for 41 weeks of the past year. Focus on soil health by avoiding heavy nitrogen fertilizers during these dry periods to reduce grass stress.
Warm-Season Turf Success
St. Augustine and Bermuda are excellent for these sandy soils and hot summers. With the last frost usually passing by February 25, you can get a head start on your lawn before the triple-digit temperatures arrive.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Recommended Grasses
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
35.2"
Growing Degree Days
7,576.65
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
02/25
First Fall Frost
12/08
Days Above 95F
122
Hardiness Zone
9a
Seeding Calendar — Zone 9A
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
Monthly Deficit
1.2"
inches of water
Monthly Water
3,667
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$29.34
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 35" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Goliad County
Persistent Drought Conditions
Goliad County experienced drought conditions for 41 of the past 52 weeks. Prioritize water-efficient grasses and consider reducing lawn area.
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.
Explore more data for Goliad County