Rocky Mountain Sod Growers Association

Grass in Xeric Landscape

Sodding a new lawn as compared to seeding a new lawn requires less initial care because it is healthy and mature when installed. Sod grown by RMSGA members, who are experts, is comprised of top quality seed blends. Once it has been installed, you just water, mow and fertilize your lawn as needed and it will remain a healthy, green carpet of grass.

Sod may be installed practically anywhere. It is often used to stop soil erosion and on slopes where rain would wash away both seed and soil.

Sod is available in a variety of grass blends to suit various needs such as usage, sun and shade conditions, soil type and water consumption.

With proper care, newly installed sod establishes quickly. In a couple of weeks, it’s ready for full use. With today’s various blends of hardy grasses, sod is the best choice for parks, golf courses, athletic fields, residential homes and businesses/commercial sites

When Can Sod Be Installed?

You can install sod anytime during the year when the ground can be properly prepared and weather conditions permit sod to be harvested.

Is Sod a Good Choice For Our Environment?

Absolutely. Sod cools and cleans the atmosphere by reflecting the sun’s heat and absorbing noises, carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants. It releases valuable oxygen and moisture into the air we breathe. As it grows, sod silently contributes to a healthier environment.

Turfgrass As Part of a Xeric Landscape

Merriam-Webster defines “xeric” as characterized by, relating to, or requiring only a small amount of moisture. Turfgrass, when properly cared for, works well in xeric landscapes. It is important to always consider how you can conserve water while meeting your landscaping needs.

To maintain Turfgrass in a xeric landscape, practice the following:

Find out how much water you are actually putting on your grass. Over-watering is common. If you have an automatic system, it may require adjustments. If you are hand-watering, you need to know how much is enough and how much is too much.

Refer to our watering section for more information.

Water early in the morning, or late in the evening. Optimum water usage can be obtained by watering to near run-off conditions, allowing it to soak in and then re-applying within 1 — 2 hours. This ensures that all of the water is reaching the roots of the plant. It also encourages deep rooting. In this manner, no water is lost to run-off. It is now safe to skip several days before watering again.
During times of drought, it’s okay to let your grass go “dormant” during the summer. Consult with one of our expert members to learn how to treat your specific type of grass.
Simply reduce the amount of time you spend watering. A 10% reduction will have little impact upon your lawn, but will greatly assist in your efforts to conserve water.
Hand water areas that may be under stress. Lawns are very drought resilient and will bounce back.
Make sure that your sprinkler system is in good working order.