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drought tolerant grass #682737

Asked March 04, 2021, 8:50 PM EST

We have a half acre back yard that we've lost the grass coverage over the years. We generally don't water, but know we may need to . We're looking for something to start from seed now - hopefully. will be in decent shape by summer. i think the field grass that is left is buffalo. our main concern is maintaining the top soil. Any suggestions? We're at about 5,800 feet near Golden

Jefferson County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Janice,

Thank you for your question. To help find some grass options, I have a few questions for you!

  • If you decide to water after the grass is established, how will you be appying it (sprinkler, hand, irrigation system, etc).
  • Will you be mowing the lawn, or do you want a more naturalized look?
  • What kind of soil do you have? Was a soil test done?
  • Sun or shade?
  • Is it possible to send a photo that shows the entire area that will be seeded?

Best regards,

Mari

Mari Hackbarth Replied March 05, 2021, 4:50 PM EST
It’s difficult to get all at once   Different angles shown   See below for other commentsimageimageimage
imageimage
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On Mar 5, 2021, at 2:50 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied March 05, 2021, 5:19 PM EST

Thanks for the photos Janice.  I don't see the responses to the other questions:  will you send them separately?

Great property!  Are those your greenhouses?  Will the lawn have a function related to them?

Mari

Mari Hackbarth Replied March 05, 2021, 5:30 PM EST
Full sun
Clay, some bentonite.  No tests
Water by hand or sprinkler 
The greenhouses belong to the neighbor-city floral.  I’d like them to send their runoff our way.  Generally it may be ok but our home almost flooded a few year back

Janice

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On Mar 5, 2021, at 3:30 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied March 05, 2021, 6:02 PM EST
We’d like something that needs very little mowing

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On Mar 5, 2021, at 3:57 PM, MARVIN FLEMING <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

We’d like something that needs little or no mowing.  

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On Mar 5, 2021, at 3:56 PM, MARVIN FLEMING <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

Full sun
Clay, some bentonite.  No tests
Water by hand or sprinkler 
The greenhouses belong to the neighbor-city floral.  I’d like them to send their runoff our way.  Generally it may be ok but our home almost flooded a few year back

Janice

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 5, 2021, at 3:30 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied March 05, 2021, 6:10 PM EST

Janice,

Thank you for the additional information.  I will research options and get back to you next week.

Best,

Mari

Mari Hackbarth Replied March 05, 2021, 7:26 PM EST

Janice,

Thank you for all the info.  There are several seed mixes available that should meet your needs.  The ones I'm listing are from some local seed specialty stores: Arkansas Valley seed and Pawnee Butte's seed.  Some of their seed mixes are available at local nurseries like Echters, Jareds, Jax? etc.

Lawn mixes (no mow) 

For more of a natural prairie look, this mix includes Buffalo grass, which you indicate that you may have already:

Best regards,

Mari

Mari Hackbarth Replied March 09, 2021, 1:54 PM EST

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