Lawn Care Guide for Summers County
Summers County, West Virginia
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Summers County, West Virginia
Top-Tier Conditions for Local Lawns
Summers County is one of the easiest places in the state to grow grass, with a high score of 83.9. As a warmer Zone 7a region, it offers a longer, more productive growing season than most of West Virginia.
Warmer Days and Longer Seasons
With 3,664 growing degree days, your lawn has a massive window for development. The 41.0 inches of annual precipitation is slightly lower than the state average but remains within the ideal 30-50 inch range for turf.
Supporting a Vigorous Growing Season
Soil-specific data is not currently listed for Summers County. Given the higher heat and growth potential, homeowners should prioritize nitrogen-rich fertilizers to support the vigorous 3,664 growing degree days.
Consistent Water for Zone 7a
The county experienced 12 weeks of drought last year but remains currently clear of all dry classifications. Because Summers is warmer than its neighbors, maintain consistent watering during the 14 annual days that exceed 90 degrees.
Early Starts and Heat-Tolerant Grass
Tall Fescue or even Zoysia can work well in this 7a zone due to the higher heat capacity. You can start seeding as early as April 10th, giving you a head start on the rest of the state.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Recommended Grasses
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Bermudagrass
Cynodon dactylon
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
41.0"
Growing Degree Days
3,664.1
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
04/10
First Fall Frost
10/30
Days Above 95F
14
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
0.4"
inches of water
Monthly Water
1,342
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$10.74
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 41" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
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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