Rethinking Grass in the Desert

Since much of our household water use occurs in our yards and landscapes, rethinking our approach to grass is an effective way to conserve. Desert-adapted landscapes with drought-tolerant plants and trees use far less water and require less maintenance than traditional lawns. That's why many AMWUA cities offer rebates and incentives to help residents make the switch.

Across the Valley, homeowners, HOAs, and businesses are replacing grass with more sustainable options, which ultimately save water and money. Another growing trend is skipping winter overseeding, which offers its own set of benefits.

Below are some key facts to help you decide whether to overseed, remove grass entirely, or consider artificial turf. Having the full picture will help you make the best decision for your yard and for our shared water future.

Benefits of Skipping Grass Seeding This Winter

When fall arrives, many homeowners consider overseeding their warm-season Bermuda grass with cool-season Ryegrass to create a green winter lawn. But skipping overseeding offers many benefits:

• Save water: Overseeding requires about 8,000 gallons of water for every 1,000 square feet of lawn each winter. A dormant lawn needs only about 500 gallons.
• Save money: Cutting out overseeding means avoiding the costs of grass seed, fertilizer, and extra maintenance.
• Protect your Bermuda grass: Letting it rest over the winter strengthens the root system and ensures a healthier return in spring. Overseeding introduces competition between Ryegrass and Bermuda, which stresses the summer grass as it transitions to the new season.

Choosing not to overseed saves water, time, and money while supporting a healthier yard.

Reasons To Remove Your Grass

If your grass is not functional (the only time to step on it is to mow it), consider removing it to save water, money, and time spent on maintenance. Non-functional grass or turf areas serve no practical purpose and are hard to irrigate, often found in front yards, along streets, or at HOA entrances. Their curves and odd angles make efficient watering difficult, causing overspray and runoff that wastes water and can damage paint, walls, asphalt, and other infrastructure. For more information about non-functional grass, visit our grass webpage .

Removing your grass may seem daunting, but converting grass spaces into desert landscaping (xeriscape) can cut outdoor water use by 50% or more. Here's the comparison:

• Bermuda or hybrid Bermuda with winter overseed: 55+ inches of water per year
• Bermuda without overseed: 40+ inches of water per year
• Xeriscape: less than 18 inches per year

With an average annual rainfall of just 8 inches, you can see the huge savings potential.

Before you start, create a landscape plan that fits your needs and budget. Many AMWUA cities offer resources, classes, and rebates to help you transition smoothly. Visit your city's conservation page  for more information. 

For detailed information on how to properly remove your grass, visit our grass webpage .

Artificial Grass: Questions to Ask First

Artificial turf may seem like an easy water-saving solution, but it comes with trade-offs. Research from Arizona State University found that during the height of summer, synthetic grass can reach temperatures hotter than asphalt, sometimes over 150°F, making it unsafe for kids and pets during the day.

However, if you still want to install a small area of artificial turf in your yard, consider the following other factors: 
 

• Safety: Fibers and infill materials may pose chemical risks.
• Maintenance: Turf must be brushed, rinsed, and cleared of debris. It can also harbor odors and mold.
• Durability: Heat, furniture, and even fireworks can damage turf. Over time, sun exposure breaks down the plastic, and replacement is costly.
• Environmental impact: Turf prevents water infiltration, affects soil health, and creates hotter microclimates that stress nearby plants, especially trees.

Artificial turf may work for small areas, but it's not maintenance-free or long-lasting. Be sure to weigh these factors before making the investment.

Whether you decide to skip overseeding, reduce the size of your lawn, or explore alternative landscaping options, each choice contributes to water conservation. By making informed decisions, you can enjoy a beautiful, functional yard while helping secure Arizona's water future. 

As you reevaluate your yard and head outdoors for some upkeep and updates, we strongly encourage you to peruse all of our landscape information  to help you better plan and prepare your outdoor space. To learn more about available rebates for landscape conversions, visit your city's conservation webpage .

For 56 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .