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Drought Tolerant Turf: Fact or Fiction?

Hot and dry. That has been the customary weather report for the past several summers in Central Texas.  Crisp, brown landscapes only add to the tired, wilted state of mind that accompanies the daily 100-degree temperatures.  In grueling conditions such as these, is it possible to possess and maintain a lawn or is that concept purely fiction?

To find out the Williamson County Extension Office established a Non-Irrigated Turfgrass study in 1997.  This three-year study compared 11 turf varieties in plots of 1000 square feet, planted in 12-inch deep clay soil.

After 1997, following the initial establishment period, grasses received no supplemental irrigation.  Plots were rated monthly during the growing season for survivability. Maintenance of the grasses included weekly mowing at a height of 1.5 inches, as well as spring and fall fertilizer applications.

Two varieties of buffalo grass-609 and Top Gun-performed the best with no supplemental irrigation.  They were followed by JaMur and Crown zoysia.  In drought-prone areas such as central Texas, one of these varieties might prove a wise selection for planting.

The real surprise of the study was the performance of Floratam St. Augustine.  Through the fall of 2000 this turfgrass was rated only behind the 609 Buffalo.  However, freezing temperatures during last year’s winter led to its demise, eliminating Floratam from the trial.  Additional considerations for turfgrass selection include shade, soil depth, foot traffic, color and texture. Zoysiagrass performs well in shady conditions while buffalograss has only fair shade tolerance.

Where foot traffic is a concern, zoysia has better wear tolerance than buffalograss.  Regarding texture and color, Top Gun buffalograss has a more open canopy and gray-green color, while 609 is denser and exhibits more of a blue-green color.

During March and April 2001, plots were rated for survivability on a scale of zero to 100. Survivability ratings of the 11 turfgrass varieties are as follows:  

609 Buffalo grass…………....98%
Top Gun Buffalo grass………85%
JaMur Zoysia………………...70%
Crown Zoysia………………...40%
Common Bermuda grass…...35%
Tifway 419 Bermuda grass….25%
Baby Bermuda grass………...5%
El Toro Zoysia………………...3%
Palmetto St. Augustine………2%
Floratam St. Augustine………1% (Due to freezing temperatures, not drought conditions)
Raleigh St. Augustine………..0%