Grass From Turf to Pasture

By Ashleigh Smith

Not all grasses are equal. Several varieties are commonly used for turf, groundcover, and pasture land. Some require lots of sunlight while others do not. Similarly, some require a lot of water, while others can survive the high summer heat and drought conditions.

These more challenging varieties are often seen in mountain land, where it experiences irregular watering and high exposure to light. Consider some of the following varieties this summer for your turf or groundcover needs to accommodate the expected climate in your area.

Grasses:
Buffalo Grass - Native to the Great Plains, where they remain green while requiring less water than other grasses.
Tall Fescue - A common turfgrass in Utah that handles more shade and heat than the traditional Kentucky Bluegrass.
Fine Line Fescue - Ideal for shady areas with good drought tolerance.
Sheep Fescue and Streambank Wheatgrass- These are low-growing and deeply rooted grasses. Expect them to stay green year-round while being green from fall to spring in lower elevations. You may keep it green through the summer with some watering and mowing once to twice a month. The best characteristic of these grasses is their ability to handle consecutive drought conditions. Find them in our Cabin Grass Seed Mix.

Crested Wheatgrass, Meadow Brome, Orchardgrass, Slender Wheatgrass, Intermediate Wheatgrass, Small Burnett, and Alfalfa - These varieties are known for their use in pasture land. This is the mix if you want to cover a large area to reduce erosion and stabilize banks. Find it on our website listed as the Dryland Pasture Grass Mix.

Meadow Brome, Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, Orchardgrass, and Annual Ryegrass - This mix includes turf and forage grasses that create a meadow effect. Pair this mix with some wildflowers for more of a wild look. This mix can be found listed as the Irrigated Pasture Seed Mix.