If you've just recently moved to the southwest, you're probably learning all sorts of new facts about how to landscape your home in this climate. It may come as a surprise to you that homeowners are actually able to have sod lawns in arid desert climates such as Tucson and Phoenix. What's even more surprising is that many people choose to have summer lawns and winter lawns, and each season requires a very different type of sod.
Bermuda grass is the most common type of sod in Tucson and Phoenix in the summertime because it's a very tolerant species that can handle hot temperatures. The only issue is that Bermuda grass is dormant during the winter months. So if you want your lawn to be green all year then you have to use a grass variety that grows in the winter, such as perennial ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass is a good option for winter lawns in Arizona because it's a beautiful dark green color, low-maintenance, and does well in the climate.
It's best to plant Perennial ryegrass around October in Arizona because the climate is typically around 60 degrees which is ideal for this grass. Perennial ryegrass is a bunch-type grass best suited for use in full sun to moderately shaded lawns and is one of the fastest germinating grasses from seed. Once full grown, your ryegrass lawn will have excellent wear tolerance and can also tolerate some of the lowest mowing heights possible (1 to 2.5 inch recommended cutting height).
When you plant ryegrass in the winter it is called overseeding, because you are planting the seed over the existing Bermuda grass. Be sure to handle all the regular lawn maintenance steps of:
In addition, another critical step in preparing your winter lawn is mulching. While it may be an optional step for most lawns, you'll want to take the time to mulch if you do not have a good irrigation system or do not have a timer that can water 4-5 times per day. A well-composted mulch will help retain moisture and heat necessary to germinate your perennial ryegrass. After you have spread the seed, spread the mulch 1/8" to 1/4" thick evenly over the whole lawn.
Ryegrass will start to die around May when temperatures in Phoenix and Tucson really start warming up. When it's time to transition your sod lawn for summer, stop watering your winter grass for a few weeks to let it die out. Then, begin your watering schedule once again to bring your dormant Bermuda summer grass back to life. Check out our fall / winter overseeding guide for more information on transitioning your lawn from warm to cool season. At the end of the day, be sure to keep in mind that lawn success is a matter of preparation.
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Article published: 8/19/2020
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