Arizona’s desert climate makes maintaining a traditional lawn year-round difficult without specialized care. Warm-season grasses, often called summer grasses, are adapted to thrive in the high temperatures and intense sunlight of the Arizona summer. Successfully establishing these grasses requires precise timing and careful preparation to ensure they develop a deep, resilient root system. Understanding the narrow window for planting is the first step toward a healthy, vibrant summer lawn.
Identifying Suitable Warm-Season Grasses for Arizona
The most widely used warm-season turfgrass in Arizona is Bermuda grass, known for its excellent heat, drought, and traffic tolerance. There are two main types: common Bermuda grass, established from seed, and hybrid Bermuda grass, established from sod, sprigs, or plugs. Hybrid varieties (e.g., Tifway, Midiron, Tifgreen) are often preferred for their superior density, finer texture, and deep green color, making them popular for high-quality residential lawns.
Other options include Zoysia grass, which offers a soft texture and dense growth that helps suppress weeds. Zoysia is more drought-resistant than many types but establishes slower than Bermuda and is typically installed as sod. St. Augustine grass is also used, particularly in areas with partial shade, but it requires more water than Bermuda or Zoysia, making it less common in arid climates. The choice between seed and sod depends on the budget, desired turf quality, and patience for the establishment period.
Optimal Planting Timing and Conditions
Planting success depends on the sustained temperature of the soil rather than the calendar month. The ideal planting window generally opens in late spring and extends into early summer, typically mid-April through mid-July in low desert areas like Phoenix and Tucson. This timing allows the grass to mature during its peak growing season.
The most important indicator for planting Bermuda grass seed is a consistent soil temperature of at least 65°F to 70°F; cooler soil will slow or prevent germination. In the Phoenix Valley, seeding typically occurs between late May and mid-July. Sod installation can begin earlier, around mid-May, and can be installed later into the season than seed because it possesses a mature root system. For higher elevation regions, such as Sierra Vista, the planting window shifts later, often starting around mid-June, due to cooler soil temperatures.
Preparing the Ground for Successful Establishment
Ground preparation determines the long-term health of the new lawn. Preparation begins by eliminating existing vegetation, often involving scalping or applying an herbicide to ensure a clean slate. Arizona’s native soil is typically highly alkaline (pH 6.5 to 8.5), which hinders grass roots from absorbing essential nutrients like iron.
A soil test confirms the pH level, and amendments such as sulfur or iron sulfate may be needed to adjust the soil closer to the ideal range of 6.0 to 7.0. Incorporating compost or organic matter also helps lower the pH and improves soil structure and water-holding capacity. After treating the soil, the area must be leveled to ensure proper drainage and prevent water pooling. The surface should be graded one inch below any sidewalks or curbing. Before planting, the irrigation system must be fully installed and tested, as immediate and consistent watering is required for establishment.
Planting Methods and Immediate Post-Care
The planting method varies between seeding and sodding. When seeding, Bermuda grass seed should be spread uniformly using a broadcast spreader, followed by a light topdressing. Gently rolling the area maximizes seed-to-soil contact, which is necessary for germination. Seeding requires patience, as full maturity can take a full growing season.
For sod, the turf rolls must be laid immediately upon delivery, with sections staggered and pushed tightly together to eliminate seams. After laying, use a sod roller to press the sod firmly against the prepared soil, removing air pockets and ensuring solid root contact.
Immediate Post-Care
Immediate post-care focuses on the initial watering regime, which is the most common point of failure in Arizona heat. New seed or sod requires frequent, short watering cycles for the first one to two weeks to keep the top layer of soil constantly moist. Typically, this means watering four to five times a day for five to ten minutes each. Once the new grass reaches one inch in height, the watering frequency can be reduced. The first light mowing can then be performed at a height of about one to one and a half inches.