TURF/GRASS
A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY
A well-placed swath of grass can add color and functionality to your landscape, especially if you have small children or a dog.
Whether it’s because you grew up in the midwest or because you like walking barefoot in your yard to feel cool grass between your toes, you love your lush, green lawn. Fear not! Grass (often called turf) may be a desired component in a well-designed Xeriscape yard. It is one of the best plants to handle foot traffic and it provides a softer surface for kids’ sports or dogs’ paws. But grass is water-intensive, so when planning your landscape, a little goes a long way. We have many resources to help you keep your grass looking its best, and with up to 70 percent of your water use occurring outdoors, the ideal lawn is one that will grow in our desert environment using water as efficiently as possible.
TURF/GRASS CARE & MAINTENANCE RESOURCES
Find useful tips on our site and from our water partners:
- Lawn Watering Guide tells you how much and how often to water
- Desert Lawn Care (also en Español) (AMWUA)
- Practical Turf Areas
- Water-Wise Lawn Watering
- Did You Know There are “Smart” Irrigation Controllers?
- Summer Watering Tips (Chandler)
- Water-Efficient Winter Lawns (Chandler)
- For a Better Looking Summer Lawn, Plant Winter Grass Correctly (AMWUA)
- See these fun videos (SRP)
Find more details from our Water – Use It Wisely blogs:
- Prevent Water Runoff — Try Cycle and Soak
- Slow-the-Flow for Water Savings
- Lawn Stars
- Lawn & Order
- Free Monthly Landscape Watering Advice Sent Right to Your Phone
- How to Save Water with 416 Acres of Grass
- Plant of the Month: Ryegrass or Winter Grass
- Do You Need to Overseed? 10 Reasons to Skip That Winter Lawn
Get expert tips with these University of Arizona Cooperative Extension publications and articles:
Publications
Articles
- Overseeding Bermudagrass Lawns with Annual Ryegrass – Rick Gibson, Pinal County Extension Agent
- Cooperative Extension Turf Tip Articles – Dave Kopec, Extension Specialist Turf/Pasture Grass
- These Grass Lawn Options Work Well in Arizona’s Climate – Kai Umeda, Maricopa County Extension Agent
Tired of mowing your lawn? Skip overseeding and let your warm-season lawn go dormant to save time, money, and water.
TURF/GRASS ALTERNATIVES
In truth, it isn’t easy growing a beautiful lawn in the desert. Not only does it take a lot of water, but also time and energy to fertilize, mow, overseed (if you do so), and more. Oh, and please see our last bullet if you’re thinking about installing artificial turf!
- Good Reasons to Take Out Your Grass (also en Español) (AMWUA)
- Converting Turf to a Xeriscape Landscape (UofA Cooperative Extension)
- Rebates for removing turf are offered by many cities. Find out if your city is on the list. (AMWUA)
- It’s the Perfect Time … To Kill Your Lawn!
- Top 10 Reasons to Convert to Xeriscape!
- Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert (ADWR/AMWUA)
- Removing grass? Know the Basics Before You Start (AMWUA)
- Choose desert-adapted plants instead of turf (AMWUA)
- 10 Reasons Why Artificial Turf May Not Be What You’re Looking For
