Your Ultimate Guide to Greener Pastures

Having a green and luscious lawn in Salt Lake City can seem like an impossible dream. Utah weather is dry, and the desert climate can make it really challenging to keep your grasses green. But did you know that there is a way to have that lawn of your dreams, no matter where you live?

It’s all about finding the right grass for the climate you live in.

If you live in a warm climate you need a warm season-grass. Cool-season grasses just won’t grow as well in high temperatures, whereas warm-season grasses thrive in the heat and their peak growing season is the middle of the summer.

Most warm-season grasses are drought tolerant, and that means they can survive the high, dry climates with little water. Ideal if you live in an area with only a small amount of rainfall in the summer months.

Now you know you’re looking for a warm-season grass that’s resilient enough to cope with the desert like climate, which one should you choose?

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is extremely popular in North America and there are varieties that have been bred to be drought tolerant, so they’ll grow better in the South. These include Common Bermuda, Celebration, GN1, Grimes EXP, TexTurf, TifSport and Tifway 419.

This type of grass loves the sun and springs back quickly when watered after a dry spell. It’s also resistant to high foot traffic areas.

This variety of grass needs to be mowed frequently throughout it’s growing season but becomes dormant in the winter.

If you want a green lawn during winter and you have Bermuda grass, overseed with Ryegrass and your lawn will be green all year round.

If you’re looking for a popular and drought resistant grass then a variety of Bermuda grass should be considered.

St Augustine Grass

This type of grass has coarse leaves and is exceedingly popular in Florida. It grows well in the Gulf Coast, Africa, and the Pacific Islands so it is tolerant to heat, although it does grow better in dappled shade.

This variety of grass can grow well in moderate traffic areas but won’t thrive in high traffic so consider how you use your lawn before deciding on the most suitable grass.

St Augustine will stay green during winter while it’s dormant. Avoid over watering while this grass is dormant, or you may find it becomes diseased.

Zoysia Grass

Slow growing but drought resistant, Zoysia grass doesn’t need watering or mowing often. When fully established this grass is lush, green, and normally withstands a lot of foot traffic.

All species of this grass are drought resistant but the ones that have the highest tolerance are El Toro, Empire, Jamur, Palisdaes and Buffalo Grass.

Buffalo grass is native to the Midwest, likes to grow in full sun and once fully established it doesn’t need much water. This variety will need to be kept at least 5 inches long and is one of the varieties of Zoysia that doesn’t grow well with foot traffic.

Centipede Grass

This species of grass was introduced to the US from Southeast Asia in 1916. This type of grass is slow-growing, hardy and once fully established is very low maintenance.

Centipede grass grows well in full sun or partial shade but, as it can survive in acidic soil, it will also grow in dappled shady areas around pine trees.

If you’re looking for a hardy, low maintenance grass the Centipede variety might be suited to you.

Bahia Grass

Finally, we have Bahia Grass. This is an all-purpose grass, meaning it is drought, pest, and disease resistant. It grows despite foot traffic, tolerates poor soil exceptionally well but needs full sun to thrive.

This variety of grass has a fantastic root system which allows it find water deeper down than most other grasses can.

If you’re looking for an all-purpose grass and you have poor soil, this might be the one for you.

Don’t give up hope on having a dreamy lawn because no matter the climate you live in, there will be a grass suited to your needs.

Remember that the heat and drought resistance of any grass can be increased by mowing high, providing nutrient-rich soil and ensuring the lawn is watered as it should be but finding the right species for your requirements will always wield the best results.