If you live in the Beehive State, you already know the summer struggle: watching your water bill skyrocket while your once-lush lawn turns crispy and brown under the scorching July sun. Between strict county water restrictions and relentless heatwaves, keeping a traditional yard alive feels like a losing battle. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. If you are looking for the best 10 drought tolerant grass for utah, you need resilient, deep-rooting varieties that can thrive on a fraction of the water while still giving you that beautiful green curb appeal.
Utah presents a highly unique set of lawn care challenges. With low annual precipitation, notoriously alkaline clay soils, freezing winters (USDA Zones 4-6), and blistering desert summers, standard shallow-rooted grasses like traditional Kentucky Bluegrass simply can’t keep up without excessive, expensive irrigation.
The smartest solution is transitioning your yard to water-wise turfgrasses, such as Turf-Type Tall Fescue, Buffalograss, and native seed blends. These specialized varieties develop massive root systems—some reaching up to four feet deep—allowing them to bypass compacted topsoil to access hidden moisture reserves. The result? A stunning lawn that requires up to 50% less water. Not only will you save hundreds of dollars on your summer utility bills, but planting these resilient varieties can even help you qualify for local water conservation incentives like the popular “Flip Your Strip” rebate programs.
Below, we’ve extensively reviewed the top-rated options on Amazon to help you confidently choose the perfect seed for your landscape, soil type, and lifestyle.
Quick Comparison: Top Picks for Utah Lawns
To help you make a fast, informed decision, here is a quick overview of our top-rated recommendations.
(Note: Prices are estimates and subject to change based on bag size and Amazon availability. Click through to check current pricing.)
Detailed Reviews of the Best 10 Drought Tolerant Grass for Utah
1. Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra (Turf-Type Tall Fescue)
1. Compelling Product Description: Consistently ranked as a premium choice by sod farmers and homeowners alike, Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra is a powerhouse grass seed mix. It combines elite Turf-Type Tall Fescues, elite Kentucky Bluegrass, and Perennial Ryegrass. What makes it unique is its genetically bred waxy leaf coating—similar to the skin of an apple—which seals in vital moisture and shields the blade from scorching UV rays.
2. Price: $106.12
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Roots penetrate up to 4 feet deep into the soil.
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Invisible waxy leaf coating retains maximum moisture.
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Naturally insect-resistant and disease-resistant.
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Germinates in just 7 to 14 days.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Incredible heat resistance; stays dark green during droughts; highly resistant to lawn diseases.
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Cons: Because fescue is a bunching grass, it can look clumpy if it isn’t seeded densely enough during the initial planting.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews: Rating: 4.5/5 Stars. Users continually praise its ability to stay vibrant and dark green in 100-degree heat with minimal watering. Many Utah and Colorado reviewers note it completely transformed their struggling clay-soil lawns.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah: Utah’s topsoil is notoriously hard and compacted. The deep root system of Black Beauty Ultra easily pushes past this hardpan clay to find lower, cooler moisture reserves that shallow-rooted grasses simply cannot reach.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it: Homeowners in Northern and Central Utah (Salt Lake, Davis, and Utah counties) looking for a traditional, lush, dark green lawn without the exorbitant summer water bill.
2. Barenbrug Water Saver Turf-Type Tall Fescue
1. Compelling Product Description: Barenbrug has revolutionized drought-tolerant lawns with their patented RTF (Rhizomatous Tall Fescue) technology. Traditional tall fescue grows in clumps, meaning if a patch dies, you have to reseed it. Barenbrug Water Saver RTF, however, sends out underground runners (rhizomes) to naturally fill in bare spots and repair itself—all while maintaining the incredible drought tolerance that fescue is known for.
2. Price:
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Self-repairing RTF technology.
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Rapid development of a deep, robust root system.
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High level of traffic and wear tolerance.
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Creates a highly dense turf that naturally chokes out weeds.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Fills in dog spots and traffic damage naturally; requires far less overseeding than standard fescue.
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Cons: Sits at a premium price point compared to standard utility seeds.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews: Rating: 4.4/5 Stars. Customers rave about the fast germination and the thick, carpet-like density. Reviewers specifically mention how well it holds up to large dogs running across the yard.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah: It perfectly marries the drought resistance of Tall Fescue with the self-healing, spreading nature of Kentucky Bluegrass, offering Utahns the absolute best of both worlds.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it: Families with active kids or large dogs who need a highly durable, wear-tolerant lawn that still requires limited irrigation.
3. Pennington Smart Seed Tall Fescue
1. Compelling Product Description: Pennington Smart Seed is an incredibly accessible, budget-friendly option backed by years of agricultural science. What sets this seed apart is its proprietary “Penkote” technology. Each seed is individually wrapped in a protective coating that retains moisture and protects the vulnerable seed from deadly lawn fungi during the critical germination phase.
2. Price: $24.06
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Requires up to 30% less water year after year compared to ordinary grass seed.
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Penkote technology ensures better survival rates for new seedlings.
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Produces a thick, durable, medium-green turf.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Very affordable and easy to find; highly reliable germination rate even for beginners.
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Cons: The bag may contain a slightly higher percentage of inert matter or weed seed compared to high-end boutique turf brands.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews: Rating: 4.3/5 Stars. Highly rated for value and reliability. Many users note that it sprouted successfully even when they occasionally forgot to water during the first week.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah: Utah’s arid, zero-humidity air dries out exposed topsoil incredibly fast. The water-retaining seed coat gives these seeds a fighting chance to sprout before the hot Utah winds dry them out.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it: Budget-conscious homeowners looking to overseed an existing struggling lawn, or DIYers tackling a lawn renovation on a strict budget.
4. Outsidepride Legacy Buffalograss Seed
1. Compelling Product Description: If you want to drastically slash your water bill, Buffalograss is the answer. As a North American native warm-season grass, it is genetically engineered by nature to survive extreme heat and drought. Legacy Buffalograss has a very low growth habit, meaning it requires a fraction of the mowing and a fraction of the water of traditional turf.
2. Price: $89.99
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Requires only 1-2 inches of water every 2 to 4 weeks once established.
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Grows only a few inches tall, significantly reducing mowing frequency.
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Incredibly deep native root system.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Unbeatable, maximum drought tolerance; ultra-low maintenance.
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Cons: As a warm-season grass, it goes dormant (turns brown) from the first fall frost until late spring in colder climates.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews: Rating: 3.9/5 Stars. Reviewers are thrilled by the massive water savings but do note that buffalograss seed requires patience to establish and frequent weed pulling during the first year.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah: It is ideal for the intense, relentless heat of Southern Utah (St. George and surrounding areas). Northern Utah residents can also use it, provided they are comfortable with their lawn turning a dormant tan color during the snowy months.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it: Eco-conscious homeowners, xeriscapers, and anyone looking for a “plant it and forget it” summer lawn that laughs at drought restrictions.
5. Scotts Turf Builder Heat-Tolerant Blue Mix
1. Compelling Product Description: For homeowners who absolutely refuse to give up the soft, barefoot feel of Kentucky Bluegrass, Scotts Heat-Tolerant Blue Mix offers a brilliant compromise. It is a precise blend of durable Tall Fescue and premium Kentucky Bluegrass tailored to handle scorching sun while maintaining that classic, manicured lawn aesthetic.
2. Price:
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Features Scotts’ 4-in-1 WaterSmart PLUS coating, which absorbs 2x more water than uncoated seed.
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The seed coating feeds the new grass with essential nutrients to jumpstart growth.
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Protects against disease and helps prevent the seed from drying out.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Trusted brand reliability; offers a fantastic balance of durability, drought resistance, and soft texture.
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Cons: Because it contains Bluegrass, it is not quite as drought-tolerant as a 100% Tall Fescue or Buffalograss lawn.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews: Rating: 4.4/5 Stars. Users consistently praise the rich, vibrant color and how quickly the seed germinates compared to raw seed.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah: Kentucky Bluegrass is the traditional favorite in Utah. This mix gives Utahns that soft, lush feel they love, but uses the deep-rooting Fescue to anchor the turf and significantly reduce the overall water demands.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it: Homeowners who want the classic, soft “barefoot” lawn feel for their children but want to responsibly cut back on sprinkler times.
6. Eretz Kentucky 31 (K-31) Tall Fescue
1. Compelling Product Description:
Before the modern, genetically tweaked “Turf-Type” fescues existed, there was Kentucky 31. Discovered on a Kentucky farm in 1931, K-31 is a heritage, utility-grade tall fescue renowned for its ruggedness. It is the undisputed heavyweight champion of surviving in poor soil conditions, high heat, and minimal moisture.
2. Price: $51.99
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Produces an incredibly deep and extensive root system.
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Highly disease and drought resistant.
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Adapts easily to a wide variety of poor soil types, including heavy clay and sand.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Very affordable; incredibly resilient and easy to grow; survives where nothing else will.
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Cons: It has wider, coarser grass blades and a lighter, lime-green color compared to modern, darker turf-type fescues.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews:
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars. Praised universally for its sheer survivability. Many buyers state they use it specifically for the “problem areas” of their yard where premium seeds have repeatedly failed.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah:
Utahns frequently battle rocky, alkaline, or poor-quality builder’s dirt left behind in new subdivisions. K-31 thrives in this exact environment.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it:
Large property owners, rural homes, or homeowners trying to cover utility areas (like RV pads or back fence lines) where survival is prioritized over a manicured, dark-green aesthetic.
7. Twin City Seed Creeping Red Fine Fescue
1. Compelling Product Description:
Not all Utah lawns bake in the sun all day. For the shadowy corners of your yard, Creeping Red Fine Fescue is the premium choice. This fine-bladed, shade-loving cool-season grass naturally requires very little water and almost zero fertilizer to thrive. It creates a soft, needle-like texture that looks incredibly elegant.
2. Price: $112.50
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Extremely low nutrient requirements.
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Unmatched shade tolerance among cool-season grasses.
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Spreads gently via rhizomes to repair small bare patches.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Survives on practically zero fertilizer; incredibly low water needs once established; stunning, soft visual texture.
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Cons: It is a delicate grass that does not handle heavy foot traffic well.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews:
Rating: 4.6/5 Stars. Customers consistently mention how well it performs under large, mature trees where standard grass has died out.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah:
Essential for the shaded parts of Utah yards—specifically under mature cottonwoods, scrub oaks, or towering pines—where other drought-tolerant sun grasses struggle to get enough sunlight.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it:
Homeowners with heavily shaded yards, north-facing slopes, or low-traffic ornamental lawn areas where aesthetic appeal is the primary goal.
8. Outsidepride Ephraim Crested Wheatgrass
1. Compelling Product Description:
Ephraim Crested Wheatgrass is a rugged, cool-season bunchgrass originally developed in 1983 by the Forest Service Shrub Laboratory right in Provo, Utah. Engineered specifically for dryland reclamation, it is weakly rhizomatous (meaning it can spread slightly under ideal conditions) and is now a secret weapon for high-desert xeriscaping.
2. Price: $159.99
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Requires a minimum of just 10 inches of annual precipitation to survive.
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Cold and drought tolerant with a deep, fibrous root system.
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Can be maintained as a low-maintenance turf alternative.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Can survive with zero supplemental irrigation once established; highly effective for erosion control.
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Cons: Very coarse texture; goes completely dormant (brown) in summer heat without supplemental water.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews:
Rating: 4.2/5 Stars. Highly rated for erosion control, with reviewers noting it establishes quickly on hillsides and dry banks.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah:
Because it was literally engineered for the intermountain west by researchers in Utah, it is perfectly adapted to the state’s exact climate, elevation (thriving between 4,000 and 6,000 feet), and harsh conditions.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it:
Cabin owners, foothills property owners, or those managing sprawling HOA common areas without built-in irrigation systems.
9. Everwilde Farms Blue Grama Native Grass Seed
1. Compelling Product Description:
If you are looking to embrace the natural western landscape, Blue Grama is a stunning choice. This low-growing, native warm-season grass produces unique, eyelash-shaped seed heads that dance in the wind. It is a genuine prairie grass that has evolved over thousands of years to thrive in the harsh western climate.
2. Price:
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Incredibly deep native roots.
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Requires almost no mowing (grows only 12-14 inches tall un-mowed).
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Thrives in poor, sandy, or rocky soils.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Ultimate water conservation; promotes local ecology and native pollinators.
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Cons: Takes a long time to establish from seed; offers a sparse, wild look compared to dense, manicured turfgrass.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews:
Rating: 4.1/5 Stars. Reviewers love the wild, natural prairie aesthetic and the fact that they can essentially put away their lawnmower for the summer.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah:
It is indigenous to the Western United States and naturally adapted to Utah’s exact rainfall patterns, meaning it works with the environment rather than against it.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it:
Xeriscapers, native plant enthusiasts, and homeowners removing their traditional park-strip lawns in favor of natural landscaping.
10. Outsidepride White Dutch Clover Seed (Lawn Mix)
1. Compelling Product Description:
While technically not a grass, clover is the ultimate drought-tolerant lawn companion. Before the invention of chemical herbicides, clover was a standard ingredient in every lawn seed mix in America. White Dutch Clover pulls nitrogen from the air and pushes it into the soil, acting as a constant, free, natural fertilizer for your existing grass.
2. Price: $7.99
3. Key Features & Benefits:
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Deep taproots aggressively hunt for water deep underground.
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Stays a vibrant, lush green all summer long.
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Naturally fixes nitrogen to fertilize surrounding grass.
4. Pros and Cons:
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Pros: Eliminates the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers; highly drought-resistant; attracts pollinators.
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Cons: Attracts bees (which can be a concern for children running barefoot); any broadleaf weed killer used on the lawn will kill the clover.
5. Amazon Customer Ratings & Reviews:
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars. Users rave about how incredibly green their lawns stay during July and August heatwaves, and how soft the clover feels underfoot.
6. Why it’s a good choice for Utah:
Mixing just 5-10% clover into a Utah Fescue lawn creates a micro-ecosystem. The clover broad leaves shade the soil (retaining moisture) and naturally combat the state’s nutrient-poor soils.
7. Ideal Use Case / Who should buy it:
Organic gardeners, eco-conscious homeowners, and anyone looking to create a low-maintenance, drought-proof “eco-lawn.”
The Ultimate Utah Grass Seed Buying Guide
When searching for the best 10 drought tolerant grass for utah, selecting the seed is only half the battle. To ensure your lawn survives the transition and thrives long-term, keep these crucial state-specific factors in mind.
Understanding Utah’s Climate Zones
Utah is a state of extremes. What works in Logan will likely fail in St. George.
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Northern & Central Utah (Zones 4-6): You must plant Cool-Season grasses (Tall Fescue, Fine Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass). These survive freezing snowy winters but require deeper roots (like Fescue) to survive summer heat.
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Southern Utah (Zones 7-8): You can support Warm-Season grasses (Buffalograss, Bermuda). These thrive in blistering 100+ degree heat but will go fully dormant (brown) during the winter months.
Deep Roots vs. Shallow Roots
The secret to drought tolerance is root depth. Traditional Kentucky Bluegrass has a shallow root system (usually 4 to 6 inches deep). When the topsoil dries out in July, the grass dies. Turf-Type Tall Fescue, however, can send roots 3 to 4 feet deep. It survives droughts by drinking from deep soil moisture reserves that the summer sun can’t evaporate.
Soil Preparation in the Beehive State
Utah is notorious for highly alkaline, heavily compacted clay soils. If you throw seed directly onto hardpan clay, it will fail.
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Core Aeration: Always aerate your lawn before seeding to break up compaction.
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Topdressing: Add a 1/4-inch layer of organic compost over the seed to add crucial nutrients and retain moisture while the seed germinates.
The Best Time to Plant
Do not plant grass in Utah in the spring if you can avoid it. The absolute best window to plant cool-season grass in Utah is late summer to early fall (Late August through September). The soil is still warm (promoting fast germination), but the air is cooling down, which prevents the fragile new seedlings from burning up before winter.
Utah Water Rebates (“Flip Your Strip”)
Before you rip up your entire yard, look into local incentives! The Utah Water Savers Landscape Incentive Program offers up to $3 per square foot for replacing living, maintained lawn with water-efficient landscaping. Programs like “Flip Your Strip” offer rebates for removing thirsty park strips (the grass between the sidewalk and street). Check your local city eligibility to see if you can get paid for upgrading your landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most drought-tolerant grass for Utah?
For Northern and Central Utah, Turf-Type Tall Fescue is the best drought-tolerant grass that maintains a traditional green look. For Southern Utah, Buffalograss is the ultimate water-saver.
Can I mix drought-tolerant seed with my existing Kentucky Bluegrass?
Yes! This is highly recommended. Overseeding your existing lawn with a Turf-Type Tall Fescue or White Dutch Microclover will gradually transition your yard into a more drought-resilient landscape without having to kill off your existing grass.
Will drought-tolerant grass survive Utah winters?
Cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue will easily survive Utah winters. Warm-season grasses like Buffalograss will survive but will go completely dormant, turning a tan/brown color from the first frost in autumn until late spring.
How often should I water a drought-tolerant lawn in Utah?
The key is deep and infrequent watering. Instead of watering a little bit every day, you should water heavily 1 to 2 times a week (putting down about 1 inch of water total). This forces the roots to dive deep into the soil searching for water, which makes the lawn incredibly drought-resistant.
Final Verdict: Which Grass Seed Should You Buy?
Upgrading your lawn is an investment in your home’s value and a massive relief for your summer water bills. If you are ready to transition your yard, here are our final recommendations:
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Best Overall for Utah: Jonathan Green Black Beauty Ultra. It provides the absolute best balance of a traditional, dark-green aesthetic and rugged, deep-rooting drought resilience.
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Best for Maximum Water Savings: Outsidepride Legacy Buffalograss. If you want to essentially turn off your sprinklers in the summer and don’t mind a winter dormancy period, this is the clear winner.
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Best Budget Option: Pennington Smart Seed Tall Fescue. An excellent, cost-effective choice for aggressively overseeding an existing, struggling lawn.
Don’t wait until the heat of July to wish you had a better lawn. Click the links above to check current prices on Amazon and get your seed ready for the perfect late-summer planting window!
