Go Native with Waterwise Lawns

Kentucky Blue Grass lawns are water-slurping. With water conservation high on the list throughout the West, it's time to consider native grasses...

Buchloe dactyloides 'UC Verde™' Buffalo Grass
Item # 27058 		Buchloe dactyloides UC Verde™
UC Verde™ Buffalo Grass

1 to 3 $41.00
4 to 12 $39.00
13 to 24 $37.00
25 or more $35.00
Buchloe dactyloides 'Prestige™'Buffalo Grass
Item # 27053 		Buchloe dactyloides Prestige™ Buffalo Grass
Prestige™ Buffalo Grass

1 to 3 $41.00
4 to 12 $39.00
13 to 24 $37.00
25 or more $35.00
  • Topic: Grasses and Lawns
  • Author: Cindy Bellinger
  • Keywords: Lawns, grass, grasses, native grasses, Grasses
  • Date: August 2005

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A reader notified us that water rates are going up in Los Alamos with penalties for excessive water use. The proposal is going before the County Council in November. No matter where you live, though, Kentucky Blue Grass lawns are water-slurping.

Yes, they look lush, but with water conservation high on the list throughout the West, now’s the time to think about going native—by growing native grasses.

Two popular grasses are Blue Grama Grass and Buffalo, with several varieties of Buffalo. Both grasses are well suited for poor soil at high altitudes, but both will benefit from lightly amending the planting area. Grama is best planted with seeds and Buffalo with plugs. For more detailed planting information see the grasses section of our library. We also have handouts in our Garden Center, and our book “Waterwise Garden Care” has an extensive section on planting native grasses. It can be purchased online and in our Garden Center.

Site Preparation

If you plan to switch to native grasses, let the Kentucky lawns die this fall and winter. When the roots have rotted, the dead grass can be rototilled into the soil to a depth of 3-4 inches. Rototilling live grass is not recommended; the grass will re-grow.

Clearing the weeds is essential, and rake up any roots, rocks and soil clods. If planting on a slope, cover the soil with an erosion preventing material after planting.

Seeding

Mix the seed in a bucket half filled with moist sand. Grama seed is very fluffy and this helps sow the seed evenly. Broadcast the seed/sand mixture by hand. Then smooth the soil to cover the seeds. Germination is usually within 7 to 10 days.

Planting Grass Plugs

Before planting, water plugs lightly. Plant plugs 6”-15” apart in a grid pattern. The closer they are planted, the more quickly they will become a lawn.

Mulching

Top-dress with a 1” layer of mulch to keep newly planted areas moist between waterings. This also discourages weeds.

Watering

Water newly germinated seed thoroughly to a depth of 4-6 inches twice daily until grass has germinated. Water plugs thoroughly. The frequency will depend on how quickly the soil dries. Water just enough to keep the soil damp (not muddy) to a depth of about 2”.

These are just the basic instructions for switching from a high maintenance, water-needy lawn to something a little closer to our waterwise times.