Lawn Care Guide for Laramie County
Laramie County, Wyoming
USDA SSURGO / PHZMThis week in Laramie County · next up in 4 days (Aug 1)
Get ready to seed cool-season grass — the best fall window is about to open.
Data Story
About Lawn Care in Laramie County, Wyoming
Laramie County's Arid Lawn Challenge
Laramie County presents a tough environment for lawns with a difficulty score of 30.4. This is lower than the Wyoming state average of 32.6, indicating that residents here work harder for their green space than most. In hardiness zone 5b, the winter is manageable, but the dryness is the primary obstacle.
Better Moisture but High Demands
The county sees 15.9 inches of annual precipitation, which is higher than the state average but still well below the national ideal of 30 inches. With 2,155 growing degree days and 20 extreme heat days, the growing window is active but moisture-intensive. Mowing heights should be kept high to shade the soil and reduce water evaporation.
Understanding Your Garden Foundation
Precise soil data for pH and clay content is currently limited for this area. It is vital to perform a local soil test to determine if your soil is too alkaline for standard turf varieties. Many high-plains soils benefit from organic top-dressing to improve structure and water retention.
Severe Drought Grips the Region
Laramie County has endured 43 weeks in drought over the past year, and 100% of the area currently experiences severe drought. These conditions require strict water conservation strategies, such as using smart irrigation controllers. Your lawn needs deep watering once or twice a week rather than light daily sprinkling.
Planting for Resilience in 5b
Drought-tolerant varieties like Tall Fescue or Crested Wheatgrass are excellent choices for the Laramie climate. Aim to plant after the last frost on May 14 to maximize the spring growth window. Rapid establishment is key, as the first fall frost typically arrives by September 27.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Laramie 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 Laramie County.
Why we ruled these out
- Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass — USDA zone 5b 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
Choosing grass in Laramie County
Severe drought (43 wk in drought / yr) and short growing season (136-day window) are the two things working hardest against a lawn in Laramie County. Here's how to choose for both — then the specific pick.
- Drought-tolerant grass seedWhat survives where water is scarce and often restricted.
- Germinating fast in a short windowPre-germination and priming when the season is tight.
- Tall Fescue, explainedTraits, care, and where Tall Fescue wins — the species behind your top match.
Top match for Laramie County: Tall Fescue
See the full breakdownPremium Grass Seeds is a sister site in our network. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through its retailer links — this never affects your price. Guidance here reflects your county’s climate and soil data, not hands-on testing.
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
15.9"
Growing Degree Days
2,154.729
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
05/14
First Fall Frost
09/27
Days Above 95F
20
Hardiness Zone
5b
Seeding Calendar — Laramie County
Personalized to this county’s frost dates — a 136-day growing season. Windows below are computed from local last-spring and first-fall frost normals, so they differ county-to-county even within USDA Zone 5B.
Plan your seeding — Laramie County
Pick a grass and a goal to get a personalized schedule anchored to this county’s frost dates.
- 1Prepare the seedbedMay 13 – May 26
Mow low, dethatch or rake, and loosen the top ½ inch of soil so seed makes good contact.
- 2Sow seedMay 27 – Jun 24
Best window to sow Buffalograss in Laramie County, anchored to your local frost dates.
- 3EstablishJun 25 – Jul 22
Protect young seedlings: mow only after they reach ~3 inches and hold off on weed pre-emergents until established.
Keep the seedbed consistently moist — roughly ¼ inch of water daily, split into shorter cycles if the surface dries out quickly. County-specific soil texture isn’t available here, so adjust to how fast your own soil drains.
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
2.4"
inches of water
Monthly Water
7,431
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$59.45
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 16" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Laramie County
Drought Stress
With only 16 inches of annual rainfall, lawns in Laramie County face significant drought stress. Consider drought-tolerant grass species and deep, infrequent watering.
Persistent Drought Conditions
Laramie County experienced drought conditions for 43 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: Laramie County
Lawn Verdict
Laramie County sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b, a transitional zone where cool-season grasses dominate but some warm-season varieties can survive. with winter lows reaching around -15.0°F. though only 2,154.729 growing degree days favor cool-season varieties like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. Low rainfall (15.9 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 69.9°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before September 27; this is the best renovation window. Cool winters (January averages 28.3°F) mean slow or dormant growth; keep debris off the lawn.
Watering Guidance
Low annual precipitation (15.9 inches) makes irrigation essential for maintaining green turf through summer. Currently, 100.0% of the county is in severe drought according to the US Drought Monitor. Mandatory watering restrictions may be in effect; follow local guidelines and prioritize tree and shrub watering over turf. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
Laramie County is close to the Wyoming average temperature, USDA zone 5b 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 Laramie County in?
What is the best grass for Laramie County?
How long is the growing season in Laramie County?
How much rainfall does Laramie 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 Laramie County