Why do we use turf in our landscapes? Becoming a homeowner or even a renter causes an almost immediate obsession to establish a green carpet of lawn. Perhaps this satisfies a need to “put down roots” or turn a house into a home. Whatever the reason, in most landscapes the predominant plant used is some kind of turf. Consequently, the lawn area is the largest water user in the landscape.

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• Limit lawn areas to just the size required by the proposed use
• Choose the most appropriate turf grass for the location and intended use
• Consider lawn alternatives, such as mulches or groundcovers

Lawn areas are certainly necessary for some recreational and entertainment activities. Turf grasses are also useful for erosion and dust control because of their quick growth. When planting lawn areas, consider what their primary use will be, and then size accordingly. Strategically place lawn areas adjacent to the structure where it will receive the greatest use. Doing this will also create a cool green space around the building and lower summer cooling costs.

Choosing the Right Turfgrass

Choosing the right turf grass for your climate and for the intended use can be a major factor in reducing landscape water demand. Turfgrasses are classified as being either cool season or warm season.

Cool season grasses include the bluegrasses, bentgrasses, fescues and ryegrasses.

Warm season grasses thrive at temperatures from 80 degrees to 95 degrees fahrenheit. Approximately fourteen species are used for lawngrasses. Unlike cool season grasses, the origins of the warm season grasses are diverse, coming from Africa, Asia and the Americas. These species include bermuda grass, zoysiagrass, St. Augistinegrass, centipedegrass, bahiagrass, buffaiograss and blue grama.

A comparison between cool and warm season grasses shows these differences: warm season grasses are low-growing, tolerant of close mowing, deeper rooted and are generally more drought, heat and wear tolerant than cool season grasses. Warm season grasses are less low-temperature hardy than cool season grasses and will yellow at cold temperatures. Although there are exceptions, generally warm season grasses are established vegetatively by sprigs or stolons while cool season grasses are seeded.

Reducing the Size of the Lawn Area

There are many cultivars of these species which offer varying degrees of hardiness, durability, disease resistance and drought tolerance. Check with your local turf expert, agricultural extension service or university for your area’s recommended species and cultivars. By using the right grass in the right place you can maximize water-use efficiency. However, a note of caution is necessary. Most turf grasses that are considered “drought-tolerant” go dormant and turn brown in the absence of water. Brown grass will not be acceptable to a lot of clients! Studies show that to maintain an “acceptable green color” requires about the same amount of water for all turf species. And so it remains that the key to reducing the amount of water used in the landscape is to reduce the size of the lawn area.

Decks, patios and walkways are excellent alternatives to lawn areas. Expand outdoor living spaces by adding these features. Create more space for entertaining. Consider enlarging play areas for children as they grow older. Pave areas where paths have been worn.

Other good lawn substitutes are groundcovers, mulches and wildflowers. These provide color and texture while requiring less maintenance than turf areas. Groundcovers require less water because they are fewer plants per square foot as compared to turf. Organic and inorganic mulches are both functional and aesthetically pleasing when used judiciously. Wildflowers and native grasses make excellent lawn substitutes. With the right seedmix and correct planting times, you can have wildflowers blooming in the landscape almost year round in some parts of the country.

Turf areas can be an asset of any Xeriscape?EUR??,,????<