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permaculture - [permaculture] some drought tolerant grasses for lawns - What do you think?

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  • From: Carl DuPoldt <cdupoldt@yahoo.com>
  • To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [permaculture] some drought tolerant grasses for lawns - What do you think?
  • Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:10:49 -0700 (PDT)



Tall fescue is an adaptable, bunch-type grass with a course
texture. Each plant grows from a single seed so it needs to be seeded
heavily. With regular mowing, tall fescue can provides a "carpet" affect
of a traditional lawn. It prefers 3/4" of water per week preferably in
one deep watering and is very traffic tolerant.


Sheep fescue is a bunch grass that grows in clumps. It
provides more of a natural look and needs very little water. It only
needs fertilizing every other year and requires infrequent mowing but
the bumpy surface is not recommended for backyard activities.


Buffalograss is native to the midwest and gaining popularity
for its thick, lush turf, infrequent mowing needs, and hardiness. It
only needs 1/4" of water per week in the summer, but can survive on
less. Buffalo is very slow to start from seed so it must be purchased in
plugs and planted about 5" apart. Buffalograss should be mowed high
(5") or not at all and makes a bumpy surface so it would not be good for
backyard activities.


Wheatgrass varieties are coarse looking, all purpose grasses
that need very little water or fertilizer. They are easy to start from
seed and great for low maintenance areas.



  • [permaculture] some drought tolerant grasses for lawns - What do you think?, Carl DuPoldt, 03/18/2012

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