Lawn Care Guide for Goshen County
Goshen County, Wyoming
USDA SSURGO / PHZMData Story
About Lawn Care in Goshen County, Wyoming
Hot Summers and Dry Skies in Goshen
Goshen County faces a lawn difficulty score of 28.5, placing it well below the national median of 50.0. The combination of low rain and high heat in hardiness zone 5a creates a high-maintenance environment for any homeowner.
The State's Heat Leader
With 42 extreme heat days a year, Goshen County is significantly hotter than the state average of 23 days. While 14.7 inches of rain is slightly better than some neighbors, the 2555 growing degree days mean your grass will grow fast and require frequent watering.
Customizing Your Soil Care
No specific soil data is available for Goshen, making individual yard testing a vital step for success. To combat the 42 days of extreme heat, focus on adding top-dressing to your soil to prevent it from cracking and to help it retain what little moisture it gets.
High Drought and Heat Stress
The county saw 40 weeks of drought over the last year, and 44.1% of the area is currently in severe drought. Effective management includes using a mulching mower to return nutrients to the soil and reduce water evaporation by up to 30%.
Seeding for a Sizzling Summer
Tall Fescue is a great choice here as it handles heat better than most cool-season grasses. Ensure your new lawn is established shortly after the May 14th frost so it can survive the intense heat that typically arrives by late June.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Goshen County
Cool-season grasses are the general fit here
County soil and zone data are incomplete, so we show a category recommendation rather than a precise cultivar score for Goshen County.
Why we ruled these out
- Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass — USDA zone 5a is below Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass's effective range (6–11); not recommended for this county.
See our fit-score methodology for how survivability is determined.
Recommended Grasses
Buffalograss
Bouteloua dactyloides
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
14.7"
Growing Degree Days
2,554.956
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
05/14
First Fall Frost
09/27
Days Above 95F
42
Hardiness Zone
5a
Seeding Calendar — Zone 5A
Seasonal Lawn Care Checklist
Spring
- Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil reaches 55F
- Overseed bare spots once frost risk passes
- 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
- Core aerate compacted areas
- Apply fall fertilizer (highest N application for cool-season)
- Continue mowing until growth stops
- Rake or mulch leaves to prevent smothering
Winter
- Avoid walking on frozen turf
- Service mower and sharpen blades
- Plan spring soil amendments based on fall test
- Keep lawn clear of debris
Watering Deficit Calculator
Monthly Deficit
2.6"
inches of water
Monthly Water
7,982
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$63.86
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 15" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Goshen County
Drought Stress
With only 15 inches of annual rainfall, lawns in Goshen County face significant drought stress. Consider drought-tolerant grass species and deep, infrequent watering.
Persistent Drought Conditions
Goshen County experienced drought conditions for 40 of the past 52 weeks. Prioritize water-efficient grasses and consider reducing lawn area.
Learn more about regional lawn challenges at The Lawn Report.
Lawn Care Advisory: Goshen County
Lawn Verdict
Goshen County sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a, a transitional zone where cool-season grasses dominate but some warm-season varieties can survive. with winter lows reaching around -20.0°F. and 2,554.956 growing degree days, sufficient for most common turfgrasses. Low rainfall (14.7 inches) means supplemental irrigation is essential during summer months.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after May 14 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 72.8°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. With 41.866666666666674 days above 90°F annually, warm-season grasses recover faster from summer stress than cool-season types. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before September 27; this is the best renovation window. Cool winters (January averages 28.4°F) mean slow or dormant growth; keep debris off the lawn.
Watering Guidance
Low annual precipitation (14.7 inches) makes irrigation essential for maintaining green turf through summer. Currently, 100.0% of the county is in moderate drought according to the US Drought Monitor. Consider reducing irrigation frequency and allowing cool-season lawns to go semi-dormant during peak heat. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
Goshen County is 4.5°F warmer than the Wyoming average, the growing season is noticeably longer than the state average, USDA zone 5a helps guide grass selection compared to neighboring counties.
Want detailed soil composition, drainage classes, and soil series data? View soil details on SoilByCounty.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What USDA hardiness zone is Goshen County in?
What is the best grass for Goshen County?
How much rainfall does Goshen County get?
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 Goshen County