Lawn notes for Greene County
The local facts behind the calendar: what's under the grass, which grasses suit it, when frost comes, and where your leaves go. Everything here was checked on 2026-10-26 against the source linked under it.
Soils
USDA soil survey data shows one soil, Miamian, a well-drained silt loam, covering about a quarter of Greene County's mapped acres. Next come Ragsdale and Brookston, poorly drained silty clay loams. Drainage can change from one yard to the next, so look up your own lot on Web Soil Survey before you blame the grass.
| Soil | Share of county | Surface texture | Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miamian | 25.7% | Silt loam (some clay loam) | Well drained |
| Ragsdale | 10.7% | Silty clay loam | Poorly drained |
| Brookston | 6.9% | Silty clay loam | Poorly drained |
| Reesville | 6.2% | Silt loam | Somewhat poorly drained |
| Xenia | 5.4% | Silt loam | Moderately well drained |
| Russell | 4.2% | Silt loam | Well drained |
| Eldean | 3.9% | Silt loam | Well drained |
| Celina | 3.4% | Silt loam | Moderately well drained |
Share of acres is for the main soil in each mapped unit, from the USDA NRCS soil survey for Greene County (survey area OH057). Surface texture and drainage class are the survey's values for the top layer. Developed "urban land" makes up another 5.4%.
Sources: Soil Data Access: Greene County, Ohio (OH057) map units and components (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service); Web Soil Survey (look up your own lot) (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service); Soils Information (Greene Soil and Water Conservation District) . Checked 2026-10-26.
Grass types
- OSU recommends cool-season grasses for Ohio lawns and names four species that are useful for home lawns: turf-type tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and Kentucky bluegrass.
- Tall fescue is becoming much more common in Ohio because it establishes faster, resists drought and tolerates shade. OSU says it is generally more drought resistant than Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass.
- Kentucky bluegrass can ride out four to six weeks of drought by going dormant.
- OSU's mowing fact sheet mentions warm-season zoysiagrass and bermudagrass lawns in the southern part of the state. The calendar on this site is written for cool-season lawns.
Sources: Natural Organic Lawn Care (HYG-4031) (Ohio State University Extension); Early Spring Lawn Care (March 2025) (Buckeye Turf, Ohio State University); Buckeye Turf Newsletter, Summer 2026 (Buckeye Turf, Ohio State University); Lawn Mowing (HYG-5816) (Ohio State University Extension) . Checked 2026-10-26.
Frost dates
Dates are for 32°F, from the 1991 to 2020 climate normals. The median is the date with even odds. In one year in ten the last spring freeze comes on or after May 3, and the first fall freeze comes on or before October 16. Your own yard can run warmer or colder than the airport station. Station: Dayton International Airport (NOAA station USW00093815), the nearest long-record official station.
Sources: U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, annual/seasonal freeze probabilities, Dayton International Airport (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information); U.S. Climate Normals (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information) . Checked 2026-10-26.
Soil testing at OSU Extension Greene County
OSU Extension Greene County, 100 Fairground Road, Xenia, OH 45385. Phone 937-372-9971. Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (the first Friday of each month is by appointment only).
- Register online first, then bring your sample to the office during office hours or leave it in the drop box by the front door.
- Lawn, turf and ornamental samples start at $30. You can pay online or by check to OSU Extension Greene County.
- The basic test covers soil pH, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, with lime and fertilizer recommendations. It doesn't include nitrogen.
- The lab takes 3 to 5 working days once it has the sample. The office says to expect results by email within about 10 business days.
- You can borrow a soil probe for free if you return it within 24 hours. Call ahead to check one is available.
- The office recommends testing every three years.
For 2026, the office and the Greene Soil and Water Conservation District list a reduced-price "Test Your Soil" event on November 17, 5 to 7 p.m. The district's flyer says to register by November 12 at go.osu.edu/TestSoil.
- Home sampling directions (PDF)
- How to read lawn and garden results (PDF)
- GreeneLine Horticultural Helpline (Master Gardener Volunteers)
Sources: Soil and Water Quality (soil testing) (OSU Extension Greene County); Test Your Soil, November 17, 2026 (Greene Soil and Water Conservation District) . Checked 2026-10-26.
Leaves and yard waste
Mowing leaves into the lawn is OSU's first choice (see the October page). For what's left over, here is what each city publishes.
Xenia
- Curbside leaf collection runs November 9 to December 11, 2026, in two rounds. Zone 1 is north of Main Street (Main Street addresses included); Zone 2 is south.
- Round one: Zone 1 November 9 to 13, Zone 2 November 16 to 20. No pickup Thanksgiving week. Round two: Zone 1 November 30 to December 4, Zone 2 December 7 to 11.
- Rake leaves to the curb before the Monday of your zone's week. Piles must be leaves only, with no sticks, limbs or trash, and keep cars out of the pickup area.
Source: Leaf Collection 2026, City of Xenia. Checked 2026-10-26
Fairborn
- Leaves and grass clippings can go in with your regular trash, in your city trash container.
- If you routinely have more than the bin holds, you can contract with Rumpke directly for a yard-waste can. The FAQ lists it at $30 a month.
- Yard waste can also go to the county drop-off in Xenia.
Source: Trash FAQs, City of Fairborn. Checked 2026-10-26
Bellbrook
- Yard waste can go out with regular trash collection.
- Rumpke collects brush in bags, or tied in bundles no larger than 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. Brown paper bags aren't required.
- Bellbrook residents can take yard waste to the county drop-off in Xenia for free.
Source: Yard Waste and Construction Debris, City of Bellbrook. Checked 2026-10-26
Beavercreek
- The city's Services page sends residents to Greene County's Yard Waste and Recycling page. We didn't find a separate city leaf collection page.
Source: Services, City of Beavercreek. Checked 2026-10-26
Greene County Environmental Services yard-waste drop-off
2145 Greene Way Boulevard, Xenia.
- Takes leaves, grass and brush. Xenia's and Bellbrook's pages both describe it.
- Brush is ground into untreated mulch that Greene County residents can take for free, self-serve.
- Bellbrook's page says it doesn't take nuts, apples, stumps, dirt or sod, and Xenia's page says you unload your own vehicle.
- The two city pages list different brush size limits and opening hours, so call before a big load. Bellbrook's page lists the number as (937) 562-5925.
Sources: the Xenia and Bellbrook pages above, checked 2026-10-26. The county's own yard-waste page blocked our automated check on 2026-10-26, so the details above come from the Xenia and Bellbrook pages. Greene County's yard-waste page.
We couldn't confirm published yard-waste or leaf rules for Yellow Springs, Cedarville, Jamestown or the townships. If you live there, ask your village or township office. We'll add them once we can check an official page.
Greene Soil and Water Conservation District
Greene Soil and Water Conservation District, 1363 Burnett Drive, Xenia, OH 45385. Phone (937) 347-8124. Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
- Serves all of Greene County, about 269,440 acres.
- Lists soils information, stormwater management, an urban stormwater (MS4) program, water quality work and conservation education among its services.
- Its Urban pages cover backyard drainage, including best practices for backyards.
- Lists a 2026 tree sale and fish sale.
Source: About Us (Greene Soil and Water Conservation District) . Checked 2026-10-26.