When drought is the normal year: shrinking the lawn
Who this is for
1,342 counties, 42% of those with a full record, land on this plan: drought is common enough, or bunched into summer enough, that a thirsty lawn dies or drinks heavily most years. The most drought-prone on record: Apache County, AZ (8.1 in 10), Hidalgo County, NM (8.1 in 10) and Grant County, NM (8.1 in 10). States with the most counties here: TX (237), GA (142), NE (91), KS (84) and CO (64).
Keep a small patch, not none
Most yards need some open ground for kids, dogs or a chair. Keep that patch, sized for use rather than looks, and plant it with a drought-tolerant grass. The rest is what changes.
Order of work
- Check your water utility for a turf-removal or "cash for grass" rebate before removing anything; many need a pre-inspection.
- Kill the turf by smothering (cardboard and mulch) or solarising, rather than tilling, which brings weed seed up.
- Lay drip lines before planting, one emitter per plant.
- Plant natives and adapted shrubs in fall, so roots establish through the cool months before the dry season.
- Mulch 2 to 3 inches deep; bare soil between plants loses water fastest.
Gravel and artificial turf
Gravel and artificial turf use no water but get hot in summer sun and give nothing to soil life. Plants on drip, with gravel paths between, usually beat a yard that is all one or the other.
Related
If your county sits closer to the middle, changing the grass may be enough. For which years drove these counts, see the worst drought years.