Water Smart Landscaping: Turfgrass Considerations
 | Author:
Allison Kosto, MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent |
Allison Kosto
MSU Broadwater County Extension Agent
Something about a lush green lawn is as American as apple pie. It’s a tradition that built a whole industry dedicated to green spaces. In some neighborhoods, it’s seen as a status symbol where neighbors are counting the dandelions while peeking through the curtains. However, did you know that the average home landscape uses as much as 50 percent of the water in the household?! In the last couple of years, I have had an increased number of inquiries from people who are interested in Water Smart Landscaping and who are trying to move away from the stereotypical lush green yard. There are many advantages to doing this.
What is Water Smart Landscaping? This is a technique that utilizes techniques for smart water use in the landscape to reduce the amount of water needed. Xeriscape is another term that is often used interchangeably with Water Smart Landscaping. However, the primary difference is that Xeriscaping refers to a specific landscape technique that requires zero supplemental watering. On the other hand, Water Smart strategically uses water to make the system more efficient and effective and reduce the overall water used. Over the course of the next few weeks, we’ll look at different techniques that contribute to a water-smart design starting with turfgrass.
Lawn irrigation is the primary user of outdoor water. Cutting the amount of turfgrass can drastically reduce the amount of water needed. To decide how big your lawn needs to be consider your primary uses. Do you have kids who play in it? Pets who run around? Do you just look at it? Are there areas of your lawn that you mow but never use?
If you decide you want to maintain a large space for a lawn, changing species of turfgrass can also make a difference. The most common turfgrass in Montana is Kentucky bluegrass which needs at least 2 inches of water a week. Sheep fescue is a drought-tolerant species that can also be used in lawns. It requires half as much water as Kentucky bluegrass, only needing about 1 inch per week. Keep in mind though that by switching to a different grass, your lawn may lose its manicured sod-like look. However, you can still have a wonderful lawn that kids and pets can play on, and for you to enjoy.
Another trend in lawns is alternatives to turfgrass such as microclover or creeping thyme. Microclover is a type of white clover that has smaller leaves and a lower-growth habitat. It is best mixed with lawn grass because alone it tends to be clumpy. The top growth also dies back over the winter which can create bare spots in the yard which are subject to erosion. Mixing it with lawn grass helps provide continued ground cover. In Montana, it still needs to be watered regularly, about 1 inch a week, so if you pair it with a low-maintenance turfgrass like sheep fescue, it could make a good combination. Other downsides of microclover are that it is not drought tolerant, doesn’t do well in shade or high traffic areas, and the seed is more expensive.
Creeping thyme is another option but is best used in smaller areas. It is a woody plant that does not die back each winter, so the stems remain on the ground, and it does not have the soft texture of traditional lawns. It sometimes does not survive our winters if there is not enough snow cover. Creeping thyme also needs water and should even be watered at least once a month during the winter. However, it uses less water than a high-maintenance lawn, has a lovely purple flower that makes a nice ground cover, and attracts pollinators.
Another important consideration of Water Smart Lawns is how and when you water. It’s best to water deep and less frequently. Established lawns need 1 to 2 inches of water every 3 to 5 days. If you have a lower maintenance grass, then it can be even less frequent. This technique teaches the roots to go deeper into the soil profile and better able to withstand drought. The best time to water is early in the morning because it reduces moisture loss from evaporation and allows leaf blades to dry quickly, reducing fungal infections.
It’s also okay to let your lawn go dormant during the summer to conserve water. Montana’s lawn grasses are cool-season plants which means they grow more rapidly during the spring and fall when temperatures are cool. They are naturally designed to go dormant when stressed and then typically bounce back to life when the temperatures drop in the fall and the moisture returns. We see the exact same thing with native plants. Letting your lawn go dormant is often less stressful than intermittent watering.
Stay tuned next week for more Water Smart design tips!
Contact MSU Extension in Broadwater County at 406-266-9242 or allison.kosto@montana.edu with any questions.
