New Grass Varieties That Perform Better using Less Water
Homeowners are looking for ways to maintain a beautiful lawn while using less water, and new turfgrass varieties are making that easier than ever. Modern cultivars like dwarf Turf-Type fescue and rye grasses are found in our Eden Mix or Mark’s Mix and deliver the lush look people love while requiring significantly less water and maintenance.
Better Lawn Varieties
These new, improved grasses in our mixes now look and feel like Kentucky bluegrass but perform better. Benefits include:
Better Lawn Varieties These new, improved grasses in our mixes now look and feel like Kentucky bluegrass but perform better. Benefits include:
- Insect and disease resistance: Bred with natural endophytes that repel common pests.
- Dark green color from early spring through late fall: High chlorophyll content ensures a rich color without heavy chemical use.
- Excellent drought tolerance: Unlike shallow-rooted bluegrass, these fescues can drive roots 3–6 feet deep to find moisture.
- Staying green with up to 50% less water: These varieties provide the classic lawn look with much greater water efficiency.
These varieties provide the classic lawn look with much greater water efficiency.
Start With Healthy Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy lawn. Applying HuMic helps soil absorb and retain more water while also breaking down thatch and dead grass. It also improves seed germination and helps new grass establish quickly.
How HuMic Works: As a granular soil conditioner, HuMic acts like a "soil opener." In Utah’s heavy clay or compacted soils, it creates microscopic pore spaces that allow water and oxygen to reach the root zone rather than running off into the gutter. By stimulating beneficial microbes, it also "digests" the thatch layer, ensuring that every drop of water you apply actually reaches the soil.
Fertilize for Strong Roots
Proper fertilization such as 16-16-16 or Ferti-lome New Lawn Starter encourages strong root development in both new and established lawns. Proper fertilization promotes vigorous growth, and improved drought resistance. These fertilizers promote new root development, encourage early spring greening, support vigorous new growth and improve the lawn’s ability to resist drought stress.
The Science of Root Growth: While standard fertilizers focus primarily on "top growth" (greenery), these starter formulas are rich in phosphorus—the "middle number" in the ratio. Phosphorus is the engine for root branching. By building a massive, fibrous root system early in the season, your lawn develops a biological "storage tank" that keeps the grass hydrated during the hottest weeks of July and August.
Reduce Water Use Even More
The "Liquid Umbrella" Effect: Products like Hydretain are hygroscopic humectants. They work by capturing subsurface water vapor—moisture that would normally evaporate out of the soil—and converting it back into microscopic liquid droplets that the roots can drink. This technology bridges the gap between watering cycles, allowing your lawn to stay vibrant even if you skip a day or two of irrigation.
The Result
By combining improved grass varieties, HuMic, proper fertilization, and moisture-management products, homeowners can maintain a vibrant lawn that stays greener longer and performs better through Utah’s hot, dry summers—while conserving water.
