Homeowners in this region must deal with a dry, semi-arid climate with widely varying temperatures. Because of limited rainfall many turfgrasses are not feasible unless they are regularly irrigated. Those who choose not to irrigate can depend on drought-tolerant native grasses such as Buffalo grass and crested wheatgrass.
There are excellent varieties of Buffalo grass coming to market that look almost like bluegrass and grow very slowly. With irrigation Kentucky bluegrass will succeed in the northern areas and tall fescue in the southern areas. Hybrid Bermuda and zoysia grasses are also appropriate for southern areas.
