Drought tolerant lawn alternatives

[upsscott]

So I’m adding a shop to the backyard and I decided to just go ahead and scrape the whole yard down to bare dirt and install more drought tolerant vegetation and a new irrigation system. I’m going to have an area around 30’x50’ for a lawn. I definitely do not want to do traditional grass because of the irrigation requirements. Currently I can only water two days a week for 30 minutes. You know, SoCal needs my water more than I do. Anyways, I’m curious if anyone here that lives in a dry hot environment has had any luck with alternative ground covers like Kurapia or clover? Any feedback would be appreciated.

[craigster59]

I had a problem with deer and rabbits using my front lawn as a salad bar. I was waiting to remove a dead ornamental plum tree before installing new sod.

Well, after the tree was removed we were also put on a 2 day a week watering restriction so I figured all that money spent on new sod was going to go to waste. I've never been a fan of artificial grass but to be honest, I really like the results...

Before:



After:

[A930Rocket]

Craigster, from 2000 miles away it looks great!

That’s actually something I would look at, depending on the size in my yard.

[stevej37]

I hope this isn't a stupid question, because I've never looked into artificial grass.

What keeps the artificial grass from fading or bleaching out in the hotter sunny climates?

[cantdrv55]

Nice new lawn craigster!

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I hope this isn't a stupid question, because I've never looked into artificial grass.

What keeps the artificial grass from fading or bleaching out in the hotter sunny climates?

It has a 5 year warranty on fading and is top of the line stuff. You can even get a "SoCal" style turf with some brown thatch mixed in.

The only thing that they caution against is if it is placed near large windows that get a lot of sun reflection. It can actually melt the lawn in spots. I'll post some pics of the prep, these guys were good (and not cheap).

[stevej37]

^^^ Thanks!
Even up here in MI...any outdoor decor seems to need repainting or replacing in a few years. The sun is that way.

Yours looks really nice.

[Sooner or later]

Buffalo grass?

[craigster59]

[cockerpunk]

look up whatever is native in your area, and use that.

it also much improves your local ecosystem. lawns are terrible.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by craigster59

It has a 5 year warranty on fading and is top of the line stuff. You can even get a "SoCal" style turf with some brown thatch mixed in.

The only thing that they caution against is if it is placed near large windows that get a lot of sun reflection. It can actually melt the lawn in spots. I'll post some pics of the prep, these guys were good (and not cheap).

I've seen that in a small dog park.

[Baz]

That looks great, Craig.

Artificial grass might be a viable option but if it were me I would plant a combo of ground cover and a few ornamental specimens - like palms!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

look up whatever is native in your area, and use that.

it also much improves your local ecosystem. lawns are terrible.

Yep, native plants and grasses are usually well adapted to whatever climate/environmental extremes occur in your area. For instance, my understanding is that most prairie grasses have very deep roots so they aren't impacted by crazy dry weather like most lawn style grasses are. We are having a VERY hot and dry summer and there are a number of native plants that are still pretty green. Most of them are still hurting compared to last year, but areas of my yard that are lawn grasses are much, much worse off.

The downside, at least around here, is that the native grasses are much, much taller than ordinary "lawn" grass.

[Tobra]

Before you do anything, check and see if they will pay you a little something for going from grass to drought tolerant. In a lot of California, they will cut you a check for ditching the lawn.

[porsche tech]

One of my sons in law had artificial grass put down in his backyard in AZ. I was impressed at how real it looked. He says the problem is you can’t walk on it barefooted in the summer because it gets so hot.

[craigster59]

I love looking out the front window and seeing a “lush green lawn” where there once was a dirt lot.

But if your looking for something for the kids to play on or the family pet to do it’s “business” I’d recommend something different. It feels funky under bare feet and when I was house hunting in July of 2017, the homes with fake grass and pets stunk in the SoCal heat.

I still might put sod in the backyard. “Sprinkler Cops” won’t know the difference in watering schedules.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I had a problem with deer and rabbits using my front lawn as a salad bar. I was waiting to remove a dead ornamental plum tree before installing new sod.

Well, after the tree was removed we were also put on a 2 day a week watering restriction so I figured all that money spent on new sod was going to go to waste. I've never been a fan of artificial grass but to be honest, I really like the results...

Before:



After:

That looks really nice.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by cockerpunk

look up whatever is native in your area, and use that.

it also much improves your local ecosystem. lawns are terrible.

That’s what I’m leaning towards, native sod. I think I’m going to install deep root irrigation as well. My water bills are completely out of control, or at least they were until they just starting rationing enforcement.

[upsscott]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Before you do anything, check and see if they will pay you a little something for going from grass to drought tolerant. In a lot of California, they will cut you a check for ditching the lawn.

I know there used to be programs like that but I can’t seem to find anything current. Trust me, the sod and seed companies have figured out that this product is in high demand and the prices reflect that accordingly.

[john70t]