Replace Your Cool-Season Turf
Native Grass
When you decide which varieties
you are interested in, search online
for "warm season turf, sod, San
Diego." Review related websites and
call turf outlets with your questions.
Until recently, native grasses were
only available as seed or plugs. And,
your meadow may take a year to
fill in. Now, there is a native on the
market available as sod: BentgrassTM.
The only grower is in Central
California, but expect more growers
and distributors in the future. This is
the beginning of a trend.15
Warm-season turf needs about
20 percent less irrigation than coolseason turf. Varieties are on display
at The Water Conservation Garden,
on the Cuyamaca College campus in
El Cajon so you can compare texture,
color and appearance. One variety
to consider is Seashore Paspalum,
which has made a name for itself
on golf courses and in stadiums
throughout the South. If it stands up
to football, it should stand up well to
kids and dogs.
Cool-Season Turf
Thrives in:
65-75 F
degree range
Native grasses need 50 percent
less water than cool-season turf.
If you don't mow, they will create
a meadow with foliage up to three
feet high. Mow twice a year, and
they look like a lawn. Blue Grama
'Hachita,' Buffalograss, 'UC Verde'®
and Creeping Red Fescue are
good choices.14
Ideas
Warm-Season Turf
Warm-Season Turf
Thrives in:
80-95 F
degree range
Dormant in Summer
Dormant in Winter
Fescue, Bluegrass, Ryegrass
Bermudagrass, Seashore Paspalum,
UC® Verde Buffalograss,
Creeping Red Fescue, BentgrassTM.
Shade Tolerant
St. Augustine, Zoysia
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