The state of Arizona is famous for its hot summers where the desert region of Grand Canyon experiences temperatures above 100°F. That’s pretty hot as per the standards of most gardening zones and will need special attention for watering schedules. Although maintaining a lawn is a challenge in this extreme heat, with few practices followed diligently, it is possible to turn the front and backyards into lush green patches of grass.
Jebsen & Jessen Technology – Turf & Irrigation shares their thoughts about picking the right type of grass for dry and hot regions like Arizona. Picking low maintenance and drought resistant grasses in a key practice to keep the turfs lush and healthy. For instance, when compared to traditional lawns like Bermuda or St. Augustine, native grasses like buffalo grass and blue grama are like low-maintenance champions. They’re naturally drought-tolerant, needing infrequent watering unlike their thirsty counterparts. As an added advantage, these grasses don’t pester for constant feeding cycle and demand less nutrients from fertilizers.
Here are few tips that will help one maintain a turf that will help your garden become neighbors envy and owners pride:
- Flex Watering
Over and under watering are problems that one has to counter. With summer comes humidity. When the moisture in air and soil are high, they will take time to dry out even in summer. So rather than overwatering a patch, it is advisable to mulch and seal the moisture levels for a longer time. Even as you develop an itch to water the lawn on a dry summer day, stay away from the pipe. That grass is as drought resistant as you train it to be. Too much water not just invites fungal attack but also makes the roots of the grass shallow. Their growth will be stunted and those green patches will turn dry and brown in short periods if exposed to the vulnerability. So, the ideal watering schedule is flexible when. When soil is nearly parched and dry, that is the time to deep water and let the roots soak in the elixir of water.
- Quantity And Schedule
The grass in Arizona needs deep watering. Ideally water has to penetrate 5-6 inches deep to promote root growth. Watering within a period of three days, specifically during mornings is the best way to handle any undue stress and combat dry summer afternoons. However, there are patches that may need more attention due to the type of grass or the location of the patch. If it’s a spot that receives maximum sunlight in a garden, then you can cover it with temporary shade cloth to reduce watering cycles or causing hot spots.
- Soil Compositions
A lot of the water moisture retention depends on the soil compositions. The ideal soil for turf is no different than what regular garden plants need. Part of peat moss mixed with sand to garden mix will be an ideal substrate that will help in quick absorption and irrigation of water for grasses.
Conclusion:
The grass need not be green on the other side of the fence with little deftness and timely precautions when you have to maintain Arizonian turfs.
