How to Grow Grass In Arizona

The soft, dark grass in winter is rye.

Arizona residents are used to hot summers, sunny pool days, and very little humidity. Because of the harsh climate, you may wonder if you’ll ever be able to have that beautiful green grass lawn of your dreams. With the right timing and proper irrigation, the grass doesn’t have to be greener on the other side of the fence. Here’s a how-to guide on getting green grass in Arizona, specifically-tailored to the hotter climates like Phoenix, Sun City, and Surprise, Arizona.

Start with Bermuda grass

Bermuda grass is a perennial grass that can take the hot desert heat and goes dormant in the Fall and Winter months. Bermuda grass is best planted during the summer months from either seed or sod. While Bermuda grass does require a lot of watering, there are ways to minimize waste and keep your lawn green most of the year. Keep in mind, Bermuda grass should only need to be planted one time.

Overseed with Ryegrass

Around September or October, Bermuda grass usually goes dormant and yellows. At this time, the property owner can overseed the Bermuda grass with ryegrass. Overseeding is planting over the summer grass. If done in October, you should be able to keep grass green and looking nice before the summer months. The following summer, you’ll see that the ryegrass dies off, and the Bermuda grass wakes up from its deep slumber. 

The best transition for Bermuda to come out fully is letting the ryegrass go unwatered for a couple of weeks before scalping it. So the following spring after planting, in early May, let that ryegrass lay to rest to allow the Bermuda grass enough time to come out of its dormancy. 

Try not to overseed too early. Early- to mid-October is primetime for overseeding the Bermuda grass with ryegrass because you miss the harsh heat of the summer, killing the seedlings and the new grass is not competing with the still-growing Bermuda grass. Don’t wait too late into the year to plant the ryegrass because you can slow germination due to cold weather. Say hello to your luscious landscape.

Scalping ryegrass after a few weeks of low water application will kill it off and give the bermuda a chance to thrive in high heat.

Get your grass on a watering schedule

Arizona grass has to be on a watering schedule because of the harsh summer heat. The frequency of watering should be every other day in high temperatures and once every one to two weeks during the cold winter months. Watering every day (even during the summer) can damage plants and is a waste of water. 

Water sunny grass areas for 30 minutes at a time and shady grass for about 15 minutes. Start with a little more and see what kind of zone schedule you can get on to have the right balance between green grass and optimal water conservation. 

Be patient with your lawn

Green grass in Arizona can be the envy of many homeowners, but you may not get it right the first time around. If you’re adamant that you want real, green grass for your home lawn, it will take some effort to get your grass green year-round. Remember to be patient with your yard and don’t over- or under-water. Consider consulting with a professional if you’re a first-time green grass installer. 

Dry heat or not, having the lawn of your dreams is not beyond reach. For the savvy homeowner that still wants a stunning lawn and has a passion for water savings, try smaller patches of green grass lawn and implementing hardscape materials for your landscape. This brings beauty and conservation to your Phoenix-area home. 

Springs of Life Irrigation is a Phoenix-area irrigation company specializing in professional sprinkler and drip irrigation and landscape lighting installation and repair. Call 623-299-2996.