Tall fescue has excellent drought-tolerant performance for cool-season turf areas, as it has excellent heat, drought and shade tolerance for cool-season turf. It's the best choice for those in the transition zone and want green grass in winter, when warm-season pastures lie dormant and turn brown. Cool-season drought-tolerant grasses vary in their drought tolerance; some need supplemental irrigation, while others can survive only with occasional rains. Some grow in natural-looking clumps and may have too many bumps to serve as a play area, so it's important to choose the right plant for the right purpose.
As more people are encouraged to water their lawns less to conserve water for drinking, bathing and other vital tasks, more people are looking for drought-tolerant grass species that will help them make the most of dry conditions, without sacrificing the beauty of their lawns. If you're interested in growing a beautiful, lush lawn that can withstand foot traffic, requires minimal fertilization, and doesn't give in to weeds, you need to find a species with good drought resistance. Before we tell you the best tips for growing a drought-resistant lawn, let's first address the most pressing question: what does “drought tolerance” mean? There's no grass that's better drought tolerant; you'll need to choose the species that best suits where you live and your unique gardening needs. If you live in an area that has a mild winter but a very hot summer, such as the deep south, a warm-season lawn will be the best option.
For people with mild summers and sub-zero winters, such as the Northeast, the upper Midwest, or the Pacific Northwest, cool-season selections will reign supreme. In addition to considering how drought tolerant a type of grass is, be sure to consider where you are going to plant it: grasses planted in high-traffic areas, such as sports fields or golf courses, may dry out faster than those planted elsewhere. Bermuda grass, or Bermuda grass as it is sometimes called, is one of the most popular warm-season grasses that can be grown. It works best in full sun and responds quickly to some water after a dry spell.
St. Augustine's Wort is another popular choice. This herb has a rough texture and grows well in dappled shade. It's ideal for areas that receive only moderate amounts of traffic.
San Agustín doesn't stay green when it's inactive in the winter months. Augustine thrives in coastal areas because the climate isn't too cold, so the grass stays green. Zoysia grass grows well both in the shade and in the sun, but grows relatively slowly, especially compared to other warm-season grasses, such as St. However, once you're established, its leafy leaves will provide you with a gorgeous lawn that easily tolerates foot traffic.
Centipede grass produces a unique apple or lime green color. Despite growing slowly, it is attractive and requires little maintenance. It tolerates acidic soil and partial shade. It has phenomenal shade tolerance and is a good choice for planting under pine trees.
Bahiagrass is another warm-season lawn you should consider. It is a multipurpose lawn with an excellent capacity to tolerate foot traffic. Not only is it one of the best in terms of drought tolerance, making it a good choice for homeowners with active water restrictions, but it also has phenomenal resistance to insects and diseases. Wheatgrass is a cool-season grass that tends to look a bit thick.
It requires a minimum of water or fertilizer and is a multi-purpose lawn that is easy to start from seed. As you might expect from the name, buffalo grass is native to the Midwest and is popular for its low need for mowing and its general hardiness. It grows lush and bushy, requiring only a quarter of an inch per week of water during the summer for optimal growth (although it can survive with less water). This cool-season herb starts relatively slowly, so plan to buy it in sprouts rather than starting from seed.
Another cool-season herb to consider is sheep fescue. An alternative type of grass, it grows in groups, offers a natural look and requires a minimum of water. It requires little mowing and fertilization, but it has an uneven surface that may not be the best for backyard recreation. The last of the cool-season grasses on our list is tall fescue.
This is one of the most popular grasses of all, as each plant grows from a single seed. Sow abundantly and mow frequently, and you'll love the carpet effect this type of grass produces. Unfortunately, just about every type of grass will need some water. The goal of choosing a drought-tolerant grass species isn't necessarily to completely eliminate the need for water.
Instead, it's about creating a low-maintenance lawn that handles dry conditions a little better without needing to provide additional irrigation. Some grasses are able to naturally stay green when dry because they have deep roots and handle environmental stressors easily. They still need water, but they may be able to extract what they need from deep within the soil instead of having to water them all the time. When it comes to enduring hot as well as dry weather, you'll want to choose warm-season grass.
Unlike cool-season grasses, which thrive (as the name suggests) in cold climates, heat-tolerant grass will perform better in warm climates. The most heat-tolerant grass species are Bermuda grass (especially varieties such as the common Bermuda grass, “Celebration” and “GN1”), zoysia, St. Augustine's Wort, Centipede and Bay Grass. Despite being cool-season herb, buffalo grass also works quite well in the heat.
Just as a lawn can be overwatered or overwatered, it can also receive too much (or too little) sunlight. If your lawn gets too much sun, the symptoms will look a lot like drought stress. It will turn brown and look crisp and is more likely to suffer from insect infestations or diseases. Artificial grass will eliminate the need for mowing, fertilizing and weeding; in addition, it will withstand drought easily, obviously.
Believe it or not, there are plenty of options for natural-looking artificial grass as well. In a nutshell, you'll use concrete, open-pore pavers, or asphalt instead of grass. These systems create a kind of hardscape rather than a lawn, but allow space for recreation without requiring much water. You can also mix different materials.
You can combine different grass species to create the best overall aesthetic. For example, some people choose to reseed their Bermuda grass with other species, such as ryegrass. This offers winter color once the Bermuda shorts are inactive. However, in general, Bermuda grass is one of the best types you can choose, especially considering that it has a strong capacity to self-repair and forms strong underground roots to access water even when rainfall is restricted.
Rather than watering briefly every day, adjust your watering strategy to provide a deeper, less frequent moisture level. This will help water reach the roots of the grass, instead of staying on the surface of the soil. In general, mowing the grass at a higher height helps establish a deep root system. Mowing your lawn frequently (that is, less aggressively) can help you do this without making your grass look tattered.
Other tips for growing drought-tolerant grass include aerating the grass to help it retain the water it receives, minimizing weeds, and re-seeding areas that have died so that the grass can grow back healthy and strong later on. Having a drought-resistant lawn starts with choosing the right type of grass. We hope these tips will help you choose the right type of grass for your lawn, and keep it looking green and flush, even after weeks have passed without a drop of rain. Many lawns across the country have Kentucky bluegrass, and it's also one of the best-known.
Considered a cool-season herb, it generally won't do well in hotter, drier climates, as this type of grass will need more water to sustain itself. Tall fescue is one of the most durable cool-season grasses available. Not only is it drought tolerant, but it can grow in low-nutrient soils, in a variety of climates, and requires minimal care to stay green and strong. It is also resistant to most pests and diseases.
Water conservation is the responsibility of all citizens, not just in areas with drought conditions or low humidity. The grass is one of the main water-sucking plants in the garden. That green expanse of grass requires regular moisture, especially in the dry season. Drought-resistant turf is one option, but there is no such thing as a truly drought-tolerant lawn for lawns.
You can make a selection that requires less water than other species, or you can choose to use a grass substitute, such as a groundcover, moss, or even treads. Finding a drought-resistant type of grass isn't as difficult as it used to be. Tighter water restrictions in moisture-deficient municipalities have made the use of drought-tolerant turf or alternatives to turf a priority. Fortunately, reproduction and technology have come to our rescue and you can now install a lawn that requires less than a quarter of what traditional grass and water needs.
Kentucky bluegrass is a good choice in areas with hot summers and cold winters. It has full tolerance and produces well even in poor soils with minimal moisture. Tall fescue is a very common wild herb that has been used as a turf. It responds well to mowing, tolerates shade, develops a deep root system in prepared soil and can withstand foot traffic.
Even the most drought-tolerant varieties of grass will need some water to stay healthy or the grass will lose strength and be exposed to weeds, insects and diseases. Alternatives to drought-tolerant pastures are another way to reduce water consumption and, at the same time, obtain beautiful green vegetation cover. Once you've made your choice, installation and care are two things that need to be carefully managed to get the best result. Explore our most popular gardening guides.
If your grass doesn't recover, those brown grass spots may indicate that it's a pest, a pest, or a grass disease. .
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