Bermudagrass, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and buffalograss are the best turf grasses for northern New Mexico.
Northern New Mexico is in the transition zone, meaning warm- and cool-season grasses grow here. We will explain the positives and negatives of each grass to help you determine the best one for your lawn.
But if you’re curious about the best grasses for elsewhere in the state, check out our article, The Best Grass for New Mexico Lawns.
Bermudagrass: Drought-tolerant
Bermudagrass is the most commonly used grass in New Mexico. It’s a heat and drought-resistant grass that can handle heavy foot traffic. It also doesn’t need much water and tolerates most soil types.
However, it has a low shade tolerance, making it ill-suited for shady areas, and its fast growth rate means it spreads aggressively and needs constant mowing to maintain it. This isn’t a low-maintenance grass.
Learn more in our guide on Bermudagrass: How to Grow and Care for It.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Kentucky bluegrass: Durable and attractive
Kentucky bluegrass is the way to go if you plan on having people and pets run around in the yard. It grows aggressively and quickly repairs from injury. However, it has a high water requirement and low shade tolerance.
According to Bernd Leinauer, an extension turfgrass specialist from the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, bermudagrass was historically limited to the cooler parts of New Mexico, but newer variants have greater heat tolerance and lower water requirements, making them usable for all New Mexico lawns.
Read our article on How to Grow and Care for Kentucky Bluegrass to learn more.
Grass Seed Options:
– Jonathan Green (11970) Blue Panther Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed (3 lbs.)
– SeedRanch Midnight Kentucky Bluegrass Seed (5 lbs.)
Fine fescue: Does well in shade
If you have a shady yard, fine fescue is your best choice. It does well without a lot of direct sunlight, letting it establish in shady areas where other grasses cannot.
Fine fescue also has solid drought tolerance, although it may go dormant. However, it doesn’t like heavy foot traffic and can struggle with diseases.
If you’re interested in a fine fescue lawn, read our guide on How to Grow and Care for Fine Fescue.
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.)
Buffalograss: Requires little maintenance
Buffalograss is the best choice for those who want a lawn that doesn’t require much care. It has low watering needs and only needs weekly mowing at most. It also doesn’t have significant disease or pest problems.
However, it is a bit picky – it doesn’t like shade, needs full sun, and isn’t a fan of heavy foot traffic. As a result, it isn’t suitable for shady yards or for homeowners who plan to have kids and pets running around in the yard.
Want a buffalograss lawn? Read our article on How to Grow and Care for Buffalograss to learn more.
Other grasses in northern New Mexico
Other grasses that do OK in northern New Mexico include:
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)
Zoysiagrass
Zoysiagrass is shade, drought, and cold-tolerant, making it well suited to the transition zone that includes northern New Mexico. It also withstands foot traffic well, but because it’s a slow grower, its recovery will be slow.
For more, read our article on How to Grow and Care for Zoysiagrass.
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)
Tall fescue
Tall fescue is a cool-season grass with strong heat and drought tolerance – perfect for northern New Mexico. However, it needs frequent mowing and may go dormant in summer 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.)
Hiring a professional
Picking the right grass for your lawn can be tricky, but it isn’t impossible. And we can help. Contact a Lawn Love pro and we’ll help you determine the best grass for your lawn.
For additional guidance about taking care of your yard in New Mexico, check out these articles:
17 Native New Mexico Plants for Your Landscape
Northern New Mexico Planting Zones
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Main Image Credit: gardener41 | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
