There are three different types of soil - Clay, Loam , and Sand. Each has its own water absorbing properties and can react differently to the same watering. Most people don't have a purely clay or purely sandy soil, but rather a combination (i.e. sandy-loam, Clayish-Loam, etc.). We have put together 3 general descriptions to help determine what type of soil you have and its relative watering properties:
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Alabama:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/15-12/15 , Spring (last) 2/15-3/20 Hearty Growing Months: 3/5-12/15 Growing Days: 240 (Birmingham)-300 (Mobile) Rainy Growing Days: 70-90 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 25-43 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede, Tall Fescue, St. Augustine, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass
Alaska:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 9/15 (Anchorage)-10/20 (Juneau) , Spring (last) 4/20 (Juneau)-5/15 (Anchorage) Hearty Growing Months: 4/25-10-20 Growing Days: 125 (Anchorage) -180 (Juneau) Rainy Growing Days: 50-90 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 11-30 Grasses Commonly Found: Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Arizona:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/20-12/5 , Spring (last) 2/5-3/20 Hearty Growing Months: 2/10-12/5 Growing Days: 245 (Tucson)-300 (Phoenix) Rainy Growing Days: 25-40 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 57-63 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Centipede
Arkansas:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/10-11/20 , Spring (last) 3/15-3/20 Hearty Growing Months: 3/15-11/10 Growing Days: 240 Rainy Growing Days: 60-65 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 65-103 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, Carpet grass
California:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (CA): Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, Kentucky bluegrass, Fine & Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Ryegrass
San Francisco, Sacramento Frost : Fall (first) 12/10-12/30 , Spring (last) 1/5-2/7 Hearty Growing Months: 1/7-12/5 Growing Days: 305 (Sacramento)-355 (S.F.) Rainy Growing Days: 60-65 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 1-44
Fresno Frost : Fall (first) 11/18 , Spring (last) 3/15 Hearty Growing Months: 3/20-11/15 Growing Days: 250 Rainy Growing Days: 22 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 55
Los Angeles, Santa Barbara Frost : Fall (first) 12/19-12/30 , Spring (last) 1/3-1/23 Hearty Growing Months: 1/5-12/15 Growing Days: 330 (Santa Barbara)-360 (L.A.) Rainy Growing Days: 30-33 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August):
San Diego Frost : Hearty Growing Months: Growing Days: 365 Rainy Growing Days: 41 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August):
Colorado:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/14 , Spring (last) 4/23-4/27 Hearty Growing Months: 4/25-10/10 Growing Days: 170-175 Rainy Growing Days: 10-42 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 25-40 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, Wheatgrass
Connecticut:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/15-10/25 , Spring (last) 4/5-4/23 Hearty Growing Months: 4/18-10/24 Growing Days: 175-190 Rainy Growing Days: 50-60 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 0-14 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Delaware:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/25 , Spring (last) 4/20 Hearty Growing Months: 4/21-10/20 Growing Days: 190 Rainy Growing Days: 55 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 14 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Florida:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (FL): Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, Kentucky bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bahia, Carpet grass
Jacksonville Frost : Fall (first) 12/15 , Spring (last) 2/15 Hearty Growing Months: 2/20-12/25 Growing Days: 312 Rainy Growing Days: 105 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 45
Tampa Frost : Fall (first) 12/25 , Spring (last) 1/10 Hearty Growing Months: 1/12-12/22 Growing Days: 345 Rainy Growing Days: 106 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 42
Miami Frost : Hearty Growing Months: Growing Days: 365 Rainy Growing Days: 125 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 17
Georgia:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (GA): Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Tall Fescue, Centipede, Bahia, Carpet grass
Atlanta Frost : Fall (first) 11/17 , Spring (last) 3/20 Hearty Growing Months: 3/25-11/15 Growing Days: 243 Rainy Growing Days: 73 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 13
Savannah Frost : Fall (first) 11/28 , Spring (last) 2/28 Hearty Growing Months: 2/30-11/25 Growing Days: 272 Rainy Growing Days: 90 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 35
Hawaii:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Hearty Growing Months: Growing Days: 365 Rainy Growing Days: 100 (Honolulu)-280 (Hilo) Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 0-4 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, Bahia, Seashore Paspalum
Idaho:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/5-10/18 , Spring (last) 4/24-4/30 Hearty Growing Months: 4/30-10/15 Growing Days: 160 Rainy Growing Days: 10-23 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 0-33 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, Wheatgrass
Illinois:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/20-10/27 , Spring (last) 4/20 Hearty Growing Months: 4/22-10/20 Growing Days: 180 (Peoria)-190 (Chicago) Rainy Growing Days: 54-60 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 10-20 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bermuda, Zoysia
Indiana:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/20-11/2 , Spring (last) 4/3-4/25 Hearty Growing Months: 4/5-11/1 Growing Days: 180 (Ft. Wayne)-215 (Evansville) Rainy Growing Days: 60-70 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 9-24 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bermuda, Zoysia
Iowa:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/13 , Spring (last) 4/26 Hearty Growing Months: 4/26-10/10 Growing Days: 171 Rainy Growing Days: 50-55 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 15 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Kansas:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/25-11/2 , Spring (last) 4/26 Hearty Growing Months: 4/28-10/10 Growing Days: 170-175 Rainy Growing Days: 50-55 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 15 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bermuda, Zoysia, Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, Wheatgrass
Kentucky:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/28-11/5 , Spring (last) 4/1-4/15 Hearty Growing Months: 4/1-11/5 Growing Days: 200 (Lexington)-222 (Louisville) Rainy Growing Days: 67 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 10-20 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bermuda, Zoysia
Louisiana:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/14 (Shreveport)-12/8 (New Orleans) , Spring (last) 2/8 (New Orleans)-3/8 (Shreveport) Hearty Growing Months: 2/24-12/2 Growing Days: 260 (Shreveport)-290 (New Orleans) Rainy Growing Days: 65 (Shreveport)-95(New Orleans) Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 40-50 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bermuda, Zoysia
Maine:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (ME): Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Bangor Frost : Fall (first) 10/4 , Spring (last) 5/2 Hearty Growing Months: 5/4-10/2 Growing Days: 155 Rainy Growing Days: 48 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August):
Portland Frost : Fall (first) 10/14 , Spring (last) 4/30 Hearty Growing Months: 4/31-10/12 Growing Days: 168 Rainy Growing Days: 55 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 5
Maryland:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/18 , Spring (last) 3/29 Hearty Growing Months: 3/31-11/17 Growing Days: 235 Rainy Growing Days: 68 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 20 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Massachusetts:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 9/26 (Pittsfield)-11/9 (Boston) , Spring (last) 5/11 (Pittsfield)-4/6 (Boston) Hearty Growing Months: 4/7-11/5 Growing Days: 136-215 Rainy Growing Days: 49-70 (Boston) Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 0-9 (Boston) Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Michigan:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall 10/20-10/30 (Detroit- 10/19) , Spring (last) 4/25-5/14 (Detroit- 4/20) Hearty Growing Months: 4/25-10/25 Growing Days: 160-190 (Detroit- 180) Rainy Growing Days: 50-60 Days over 90 degrees: 3-10 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Minnesota:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 9/23 (Duluth)-10/12 (Minneapolis) , Spring (last) 5/23 (Duluth)-4/30 (Minneapolis) Hearty Growing Months: 5/1-10/10 Growing Days: 124 (Duluth)-165 (Minneapolis) Rainy Growing Days: 46-54 Days over 90 degrees: 3 (Duluth)-12 (Minneapolis) Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Mississippi:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/10 (Jackson)-12/10 (Biloxi) , Spring (last) 3/20 (Jackson)-2/15 (Biloxi) Hearty Growing Months: 2/15-12/15 Growing Days: 233-300 Rainy Growing Days: 80-92 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 45 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, Carpet grass
Missouri:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/30 , Spring (last) 4/8-4/12 Hearty Growing Months: 4/9-10/27 Growing Days: 200-205 Rainy Growing Days: 60 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 25-30 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Bermuda, Zoysia
Montana (Central):
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 9-25 , Spring (last) 5/10 Hearty Growing Months: 5/11-9/25 Growing Days: 140 Rainy Growing Days: 36 Days over 90 degrees: 20 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, Wheatgrass
Nebraska:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/5 (Western)-10/20 (Omaha) , Spring (last) 4/30 (Western)-4/15 (Omaha) Hearty Growing Months: 4/16-10/19 Growing Days: 160 (Western)-190 (Omaha) Rainy Growing Days: 44-61 Days over 90 degrees: 24 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, Wheatgrass
Nevada:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/10 (Reno)-11/10 (Las Vegas) , Spring (last) 5/9 (Reno)-3/18 (Las Vegas) Hearty Growing Months: 3/19-11/15 Growing Days: 153 (Reno)-240 (Las Vegas) Rainy Growing Days: 2-20 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 40 (Reno)-60 (Las Vegas) Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
New Hampshire:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 9/14 (Berlin)-9/29 (Concord) , Spring (last) 5/30 (Berlin)-5/12 (Concord) Hearty Growing Months: 5/31-9/38 Growing Days: 107 (Berlin)-140 (Concord) Rainy Growing Days: 40-50 Days over 90 degrees: 1-10 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
New Jersey:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/7 (Newark)-11/10 (Atlantic City) , Spring (last) 4/4 (Newark)-4/1 (Atlantic City) Hearty Growing Months: 4/2-11/9 Growing Days: 218-223 Rainy Growing Days: 64-70 Days over 90 degrees: 10-20 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
New Mexico (Central):
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/28 , Spring (last) 4/14 Hearty Growing Months: 4/15-10/26 Growing Days: 200 Rainy Growing Days: 20-24 Days over 90 degrees: 15 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Buffalo grass
New York:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (NY): Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Buffalo Frost : Fall (first) 10/23 , Spring (last) 5/1 Hearty Growing Months: 5/2-10/22 Growing Days: 177 Rainy Growing Days: 61 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 1-4
Albany Frost : Fall (first) 10/10 , Spring (last) 4/29 Hearty Growing Months: 4/30-10/9 Growing Days: 167 Rainy Growing Days: 56 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August):
New York City Frost : Fall (first) 10/10 , Spring (last) 4/9 Hearty Growing Months: 4/10-10/9 Growing Days: 190 Rainy Growing Days: 70 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 8-13
North Carolina:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (NC): Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Raleigh Frost : Fall (first) 11/15 , Spring (last) 3/25 Hearty Growing Months: 3/26-11/14 Growing Days: 235 Rainy Growing Days: 71 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 20
Wilmington Frost : Fall (first) 11/25 , Spring (last) 3/10 Hearty Growing Months: 3/11-11/24 Growing Days: 260 Rainy Growing Days: 80 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 30
Ashville Frost : Fall (first) 10/23 , Spring (last) 4/13 Hearty Growing Months: 4/14-10/22 Growing Days: 193 Rainy Growing Days: 70 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 5
North Dakota (Central):
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 9/23 , Spring (last) 5/10 Hearty Growing Months: 5/11-9/22 Growing Days: 134 Rainy Growing Days: 41 Days over 90 degrees: 20 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, Wheatgrass
Ohio:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (OH): Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Cleveland Frost : Fall (first) 11/1 , Spring (last) 4/22 Hearty Growing Months: 4/23-10/30 Growing Days: 193 Rainy Growing Days: 68 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 5-7
Columbus Frost : Fall (first) 10/30 , Spring (last) 4/19 Hearty Growing Months: 4/20-10/29 Growing Days: 190 Rainy Growing Days: 65 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 10
Cincinnati Frost : Fall (first) 10/25 , Spring (last) 4/16 Hearty Growing Months: 4/17-10/24 Growing Days: 191 Rainy Growing Days: 67 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 20
Oklahoma:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/1-11/8 , Spring (last) 3/27 Hearty Growing Months: 3/28-11/7 Growing Days: 220-225 Rainy Growing Days: 57 Days over 90 degrees: 45 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Centipede grass
Oregon:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (OR): Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Portland Frost : Fall (first) 11/22 , Spring (last) 3/5 Hearty Growing Months: 3/7-11/21 Growing Days: 261 Rainy Growing Days: Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 6-10
Bend Frost : Fall (first) 9/6 , Spring (last) 6/10 Hearty Growing Months: 6/11-9/5 Growing Days: 92 Rainy Growing Days: Days over 90 degrees: (July-August):
Pennsylvania:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (PA): Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Philadelphia Frost : Fall (first) 11/16 , Spring (last) 3/30 Hearty Growing Months: 4/2-11/15 Growing Days: 230 Rainy Growing Days: 60 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August):10-15
Rhode Island:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/25 , Spring (last) 4/15 Hearty Growing Months: 4/17-10/23 Growing Days: 196 Rainy Growing Days: 63 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 3-6 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
South Carolina:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (NC): Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Columbia Frost : Fall (first) 11/20 , Spring (last) 3/15 Hearty Growing Months: 3/16-11/19 Growing Days: 263 Rainy Growing Days: 75 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 35-40
Charleston Frost : Fall (first) 12/10 , Spring (last) 2/20 Hearty Growing Months: 2/21-12/9 Growing Days: 295 Rainy Growing Days: 95 Days over 90 degrees: (July-August): 25-30
South Dakota:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 10/1 , Spring (last) 5/6 Hearty Growing Months: 5/8-9/30 Growing Days: 150 Rainy Growing Days: 40-45 Days over 90 degrees: 20-25 Grasses Commonly Found: Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Buffalo grass, Blue Grama, Wheatgrass
Tennessee:
(estimates vary by location) Frost : Fall (first) 11/5-11/8 , Spring (last) 3/28-4/1 Hearty Growing Months: 4/2-11/7 Growing Days: 221 Rainy Growing Days: 72 Days over 90 degrees: 12-18 Grasses Commonly Found: Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Bahia, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, Centipede
Texas:
(estimates vary by location) Grasses Commonly Found (TX): Bermuda, Zoysia, Fine Fescue, Tall Fescue, Bent grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Ryegrass, St. Augustine, Carpet grass, Seashore Paspalum
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