Bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, Zoysiagrass, and buffalograss are the best grasses for lawns in New Mexico. Each grass has its own strengths and weaknesses. We’ll go over them in this article to help you determine which one is the best for you.
Note: While this article covers all of New Mexico, the climates of northern and southern New Mexico differ somewhat and support various grasses. So if you live in northern New Mexico, read our article The Best Grass for Northern New Mexico, and if you live in southern New Mexico, you can check out The Best Grass for Southern New Mexico.
Our top picks for New Mexico
Bermudagrass: drought-tolerant enough for dry areas
Bermudagrass is the most popular grass in New Mexico because it endures high heat, can survive without a lot of water, withstands heavy foot traffic, and tolerates most soil types. However, it doesn’t like shade, and its aggressive spreading habit means it needs a lot of maintenance.
According to Bernd Leinauer, an extension turfgrass specialist from the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, Bermudagrass is mostly used in southern New Mexico. However, certain cold-tolerant seeded and vegetative varieties withstand lower winter temperatures.
If a Bermudagrass lawn intrigues you, read our article on how to grow and care for Bermudagrass.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Perennial ryegrass: durable enough for pets, kids, guests
Do you plan on having your pets and kids run around in the yard? Perennial ryegrass is the way to go. Best suited to northern New Mexico, this cool-season grass has a high foot traffic tolerance and produces a medium to dark green color in ideal conditions.
However, it has a low shade and drought tolerance and even though it withstands foot traffic well, it isn’t able to self-repair due to its bunch type growth habit.
If you feel like a perennial ryegrass lawn is right for you, read our article on how to grow and care for perennial ryegrass.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Perennial Ryegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz ProTurf Perennial Ryegrass Fine Lawn Seed (choose your size)
Zoysiagrass: versatile for heat and cold, tolerates shade
Zoysiagrass is one of the few shade-tolerant, warm-season grasses in New Mexico. It also survives drought conditions and stands up well to cold. Because it endures such a wide range of conditions, it works well anywhere in New Mexico.
But Zoysiagrass’s ability to survive on little water doesn’t mean it thrives in drought. It goes brown as a defense mechanism when deprived of water. This grass also handles being trampled fairly well, although it recovers slowly when damaged.
Read our article on How to Grow and Care for Zoysiagrass if you think Zoysiagrass is the best turfgrass for your lawn.
Grass Plug and Seed Options:
– Zoysia Plugs (50 Large Grass Plugs)
– Zoysia Plugs (50 Full & Lush Grass Plugs)
– Zoysia Plugs (100 Plugs)
– Zenith Zenith Grass Seeds (1/8 lb. of seeds)
Buffalograss: natural looking and low-maintenance
If you’re one of those people who wants a lawn but doesn’t want to invest hours a week taking care of it, buffalograss is a good option. It needs less water than other cool-season grasses and doesn’t grow quickly, so it doesn’t require frequent mowing. It also resists pests and diseases.
One drawback: Its growth habit means weeds can be a problem. Its seeds are also more expensive than other grasses – on sale, it can cost $190 for a 5 pound bag.
Is buffalograss the right choice for you? Read our article on how to grow and care for buffalograss.
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)
– Buffalograss seed (primed) (5-lb. bag)
Blue grama: native to New Mexico, needs little water
Blue grama demonstrates impressive tolerance to cold and heat extremes, as well as drought conditions, making it a great option for New Mexico. As a native species, blue grama naturally thrives with minimal intervention, requiring very little mowing and fertilizing.
On the other hand, this native grass is not suited for high-traffic areas, and it does not perform well in shaded areas. Similarly to buffalograss, blue grama enters a dormancy period during cooler temperatures, which means it will not maintain its green color year-round.
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Blue Grama Grass Seeds (1 lb.)
– Nature’s Seed Blue Grama Grass Seeds (1 lb.)
The best of the rest
Other grasses that call New Mexico home include:
Fine Fescue
Fine fescue is one of the best choices for shady lawns in northern New Mexico. It has a moderate to high shade tolerance, letting it establish in shady areas. It also has solid drought tolerance, but it doesn’t like heavy traffic and has problems with diseases.
Interested in a fine fescue lawn? Read our article on how to grow and care for it.
Grass Seed Options:
– Outsidepride Legacy Fine Fescue Grass Seed (5 lbs.)
– Eretz Creeping Red Fine Fescue Seed (choose your size)
– Outsidepride Creeping Red Fine Fescue Grass Seed (25 lbs.)
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that’s both heat- and drought-tolerant due to its deep root system. As a result, it’s well suited to the transition zone (where most of New Mexico resides). It also withstands foot traffic well, but it can’t repair bare spots on its own and may go dormant without extra water.
Read our article on how to grow and care for tall fescue to learn more.
Grass Seed Options:
– Triple-Play Tall Fescue Grass Seed Blend (5000 sq ft)
– Eretz Kentucky 31 K31 Tall Fescue Grass Seed (choose your size)
– Pennington The Rebels Tall Fescue Grass Seed Mix (7 lb.)
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to plant grass seed in New Mexico?
New Mexico State University recommends planting cool-season grasses in late summer and early fall and warm-season grasses between late April and June.
Which grasses require more water?
Warm-season grasses generally need more water than cool-season grasses, but experts at New Mexico State University advise against picking a grass solely by how much water it needs.
Hiring a professional
Are you unsure of what the right grass is for your lawn? Get in touch with Lawn Love. Our pros will examine your yard and ensure you pick the right one.
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Main Image Credit: Doug Kerr | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
