From heat waves to hail storms and haboobs, West Texas weather is unpredictable. However, by choosing one of the best grass types for West Texas lawns, like Bermudagrass, it’s possible to create a resilient landscape that can withstand the harsh climate.
I’ve also included my firsthand experience explaining how I maintain my lawn in West Texas.
For more information on the best grass options across the Lone Star State, check out the following article:
Bermudagrass: Best for high-traffic
Bermudagrass has exceptional heat and drought resistance, and with a little love and extra water, it can thrive in West Texas. It forms a tough, dense turf that withstands high-traffic areas and recovers quickly, providing durable lawns in West Texas.
Although Bermudagrass is resilient, it does demand regular maintenance. Overwatering can lead to diseases like brown patch and dollar spot. To avoid these issues and maintain a healthy lawn year-round, refer to our Bermudagrass maintenance calendar for Texas.
Grass Seed Options:
– Scotts Turf Builder Bermudagrass (10-lb. bag)
– Hancock Seed Co. Bermudagrass (50-lb. bag)
Buffalograss: Best for bare feet
Buffalograss is a Lone Star State native that thrives as far west as Winkler, Crane, Crockett, and Val Verde counties. It is an excellent choice for those seeking a low-maintenance, drought-resistant lawn. Buffalograss forms a fine-textured, grayish-green turf that requires minimal care once fully established, which takes about 1 1/2 years.
Though it is slow and difficult to establish (lots of watering and weeding), a mature buffalograss lawn provides a natural, eco-friendly option well-suited to West Texas conditions.
If you can keep the sticker burrs out of your yard, buffalograss is super soft to walk on in bare feet. For weed control tips, check out our guide: “The Most Common West Texas Weeds.”
Grass Seed Options:
– Everwilde Farms Buffalograss Seeds (1 lb. of seeds)
Lawn alternatives for West Texas
While not many turfgrasses will live here without a lot of care, you can go for a more low-maintenance and eco-friendly landscape with the following ornamental grasses.
Sideoats grama: Best for low-maintenance
Sideoats grama, Texas’s state grass, is a versatile and attractive choice for low-maintenance landscaping in West Texas. Its drought resistance and appealing appearance make it a valuable addition to local yards. While it’s not ideal for high-traffic areas or quick establishment, sideoats grama excels as a low-maintenance ornamental grass option.
In the Lone Star State, timing is crucial when it comes to sowing grass. Understanding these timing windows is essential for establishing a lush, healthy lawn. To learn more, read our tutorial: “The Best Time to Plant Grass Seed in Texas.”
Big bluestem: Best for erosion control
Big bluestem, aka turkey-foot grass, is a native ornamental grass that thrives in West Texas. Its drought tolerance and dense root system make it ideal for large properties, natural landscaping, and erosion control. However, it’s not suitable for high-traffic areas.
In addition to its practical uses, big bluestem adds colorful interest to your yard with a striking blue-green color that transforms to a reddish-bronze in autumn.
If you’re looking to create a low-maintenance native landscape, you can find more options in our guide: “The Best Texas Native Plants.”
Firsthand Experience: How I maintain my lawn in West Texas
As a native West Texan, I know the struggles of trying to grow anything in your yard that isn’t mesquite, sticker burrs, or weeds. I’ve had success overseeding an adapted Bermudagrass cultivar into two naturally occurring species — silver bluestem and hooded windmill grass.
While my lawn does go dormant in the winter, it is very drought-tolerant, and its slow growth during summer means I’m mowing only once per month during the blazing heat. My lawn’s growth (and my mowing schedule) peaks in the cooler seasons of late spring and fall following heavy rainfall. Even so, I only mow about every other week during these peak seasons.
One downside is the native grasses struggle with foot traffic, resulting in worn paths. So, I repurposed leftover pavers to cover high-traffic areas and create walkways. It’s a simple, inexpensive solution that keeps my lawn looking nice. If you’re considering a similar solution, check out how much a paver walkway costs for help planning a new paver project.
What to read next
For more tips on growing a healthy lawn, check out these articles. They provide expert advice and tricks to keep your lawn looking its best year-round. With the right knowledge and tools, you can create a lush and vibrant lawn that will be the envy of your neighborhood.
- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Dethatch Your Lawn in Texas
- When to Fertilize Your Lawn in West Texas
- The Best Lawn Fertilizers for Texas
- The Most Common West Texas Weeds
If you’re caring for grass types that grow in other parts of Texas:
When to call a pro
Struggling with your West Texas lawn? Don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Lawn Love can connect you with local lawn care pros in El Paso and other West Texas cities who understand the unique challenges of maintaining a beautiful lawn in this region. These experts offer tailored solutions to help your lawn thrive, even in the harsh West Texas climate.
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Main Image Credit: B575 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0
