Lawn Care Guide for Lincoln County
Lincoln County, Wyoming
USDA SSURGO / PHZMData Story
About Lawn Care in Lincoln County, Wyoming
Wyoming's Most Difficult Lawn Environment
Lincoln County holds a lawn difficulty score of 28.6, making it the most challenging county in this group for turf maintenance. This score is well below both the state average of 32.6 and the national median of 50.0. Even in hardiness zone 5b, the unique mountain climate demands specialized care.
Short Seasons and Sparse Rain
With only 1,141 growing degree days, your grass has a very limited window to grow and recover from damage. The county receives 13.4 inches of annual precipitation, requiring constant vigilance with the garden hose. However, with only 5 extreme heat days, your lawn is less likely to scorch than in other Wyoming counties.
Customizing Your Soil Prep
Specific soil metrics like pH and drainage class are not currently available for Lincoln County. Given the low difficulty score, you should expect your soil to require significant organic amendments to thrive. A local soil test is your best tool for identifying what nutrients your specific yard is missing.
Persistent Drought Constraints
The county has faced drought conditions for 50 weeks out of the last year, an incredibly high duration. While only 22.6% of the area is in severe drought, the entire county is classified as abnormally dry. Focus on water-saving techniques like aerating and avoiding mowing during the hottest parts of the day.
Choosing Cold-Hardy Varieties
Because the growing degree days are so low, focus on cold-hardy, fast-establishing grasses like Fine Fescue. Since specific frost dates vary wildly in this mountainous terrain, monitor local soil temperatures carefully before seeding. Start your lawn as early in the spring as possible to take advantage of every growing day.
Lawn Difficulty Score
Top Grass Fit for Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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
Climate Snapshot
Annual Precip
13.4"
Growing Degree Days
1,140.586
Base 50F
Last Spring Frost
-9999.0
First Fall Frost
-9999.0
Days Above 95F
5
Hardiness Zone
5b
Seeding Calendar — Zone 5B
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
7,448
gallons
Estimated Monthly Cost
$59.59
at $0.008/gallon average
Estimates based on 13" annual precipitation and estimated evapotranspiration. Actual costs vary by local water rates.
Common Lawn Problems in Lincoln County
Drought Stress
With only 13 inches of annual rainfall, lawns in Lincoln County face significant drought stress. Consider drought-tolerant grass species and deep, infrequent watering.
Persistent Drought Conditions
Lincoln County experienced drought conditions for 50 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: Lincoln County
Lawn Verdict
Lincoln 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. with just 1,140.586 growing degree days, limiting options to very cold-hardy grasses. Low rainfall (13.4 inches) means supplemental irrigation is essential during summer months.
Seasonal Breakdown
Wait until after -9999.0 to seed or overseed; soil temperatures should consistently reach 50-55°F. Cool summers (July averages 63.0°F) reduce heat stress — maintain regular mowing and moderate watering. Aerate and overseed cool-season lawns by early fall, well before -9999.0; this is the best renovation window. Winters are harsh (January averages 15.0°F); avoid foot traffic on frozen turf and plan snow mold prevention.
Watering Guidance
Low annual precipitation (13.4 inches) makes irrigation essential for maintaining green turf through summer. Currently, 100.0% of the county is in abnormally dry according to the US Drought Monitor. Cool summers reduce water demand; overwatering is a bigger risk than drought stress.
Regional Context
Lincoln County is 5.3°F cooler than the Wyoming average, the growing season is noticeably shorter than the state average, 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 Lincoln County in?
What is the best grass for Lincoln County?
How much rainfall does Lincoln 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 Lincoln County