Arizona Grass Seed

USDA Zone Map For Arizona & Best Grass Seed Choices

Page Index:

Grasses used in Arizona are numerous, but most are warm season grasses except for overseeding grasses such as ryegrass. Bermudagrass is most likely the toughest grass used for turf in areas of the desert southwest, the southern plains, and the humid southeastern United States. No other warm season grass has so many attributes. Bermuda grasses establishes quickly, forms dense sod, good tolerance to salinity, good traffic tolerance, and grows on hard soil surfaces better then most other grasses. For these reasons, it is by far the most prominant grass in Arizona.

Both buffalo grass and blue grama will work in the low desert as turf; however, they are far better adapted in Arizona to elevations above 3,500 feet - they are planted in turf demonstration plots at the Arboretum at Flagstaff and recommended at that elevation down toward Prescott. Blue grama is natural in our state at higher elevations where rainfall is more plentiful - it is a superior forage grass for wildflife, cattle, etc. Buffalograss is not native to Arizona, but has been introduced over the years at higher, cooler elevations, with more rainfall as a revegetation grass, for its forage value and soil holding ability. In the lower elevations, these two grasses can be forced to grow with the addition of extra water - still less water than bermudagrass or other normal turf species here.

Another warm season grass which can also be used in Arizona is zoysia grass. Check with your county extension agency to see if it will work in your county.

Cool season grasses such as ryegrass, bluegrass, and turf type fescue are also used in cooler climate zones in Arizona (particularly the North part of Arizona and higher elevations).

Below is the USDA Zone Map for Arizona so you can determine which zone you reside in. Below that are our picks for your state which will do best in your area. Next on this page are tables which list various grasses and their characteristics so you can compare before you decide on your purchase. Click on the product name (ie. Midnight) for more information about that grass and to make your purchase.

USDA Zone Map For Arizona
Arizona Grass Seed Arizona Zones
Best Grasses For Arizona
Product NameSpeciesCategoryApplications
La PrimaBermuda GrassWarm SeasonLawns - Full Sun
YukonBermuda GrassWarm SeasonLawns - Full Sun
SupremeBuffalo GrassWarm SeasonLawns - Full Sun
/catalog/Blue-Grama-p-17198.htmlBlue Grama GrassWarm SeasonLawns - Full Sun
ZenithZoysia GrassWarm SeasonLawns - Mostly Sunny to Full Sun
CompadreZoysia GrassWarm SeasonLawns - Mostly Sunny to Full Sun
Champion RyegrassRye GrassCool SeasonLawns - Winter Overseed Only
Sports Fields - Winter Overseed Only
Combat ExtremeFescue - Turf TypeCool SeasonLawns - Partial Sun
Lawns - Full Sun in Cool Zones
MidnightKentucky BluegrassCool SeasonLawns - Full Sun
Cool Zones
World CupKentucky BluegrassCool SeasonLawns - Full Sun
Cool Zones
LegacyFine Fescue MixCool SeasonLawns - Partial Sun For Cool Zones
High Elevations in Partial Sun
Compare Various Grasses For Their Characteristics
Cool Season
Grasses		 Leaf
Texture		 Establish
Rate		 Nitrogen
Use		 Water
Use 		Drought
Tolerance		 Salinity
Tolerance		 Shade
Tolerance
Bentgrass - Creeping Fine Moderate
to Fast		 Low to
Moderate		 High Poor to
Moderate		 High Poor to
Moderate
Bentgrass - Colonial Fine Moderate
to Fast		 Low Moderate Poor to
Moderate		 Moderate Moderate
Bluegrass - Kentucky Moderate
to Fine		 Slow Moderate
to High		 Moderate
to High		 Good Moderate Poor
Bluegrass - Rough Moderate
to Fine		 Slow Moderate
to High		 Moderate
to High		 Poor Moderate Excellent
Fescue - Chewings Fine Moderate Moderate
to Low		 Moderate Good
to Excellent		 Low Excellent
Fescue - Hard Fine Slow to
Moderate		 Low to
Very Low		 Moderate Excellent Low to
Moderate		 Excellent
Fescue - Creeping Fine Moderate Low to
Moderate		 Moderate Good Low Excellent
Fescue - Turf Type Moderate
to Coarse		 Moderate Moderate
to High		 Low to
Moderate		 Excellent Low Good to
Excellent
Ryegrass - Perennial Fine to
Moderate		 Very Fast Moderate
to High		 Moderate
to High		 Good Poor to
Moderate		 Poor to
Moderate
Warm Season
Grasses		 Leaf
Texture		 Establish
Rate		 Nitrogen
Use		 Water
Use 		Drought
Tolerance		 Salinity
Tolerance		 Shade
Tolerance
Bahiagrass Coarse
toVery Coarse		 Slow to
Moderate		 Low Low Excellent Excellent Moderate
to Good
Bermudagrass Fine
to Moderate		 Moderate
to Fast		 Moderate Moderate
to High		 Excellent Very Good Poor
Blue Grama Fine
to Moderate		 Slow to
Moderate		 Low Low Excellent Moderate Very Poor
Buffalograss Moderate
to Coarse		 Slow to
Moderate		 Low Low Excellent Moderate Very Poor
Carpetgrass Coarse Moderate
to Fast		 Low High Low Low Excellent
Centipedegrass Moderate
to Coarse		 Slow Low Low Good Moderate Moderate
to Good
Seashore Paspalum Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Excellent Excellent Good
Zoysiagrass Fine
to Medium		 Slow to
Moderate		 Moderate Moderate Excellent Good Moderate
to Good
Compare Various Grasses For Their Characteristics - Continued
Cool Season
Grasses		 Fertility
Needs		 Wear
Resistance		 Mowing
Height		 Cold
Tolerance		 Acid Soil
Tolerance 		Thatching
Tendency		 Heat
Tolerance
Bentgrass - Creeping High Low Low Low Medium
to High		 High High
Bentgrass - Colonial High Low Low Low Medium
to High		 High High
Bluegrass - Kentucky Medium Medium
to High		 Medium High Medium Medium Medium
Bluegrass - Rough Medium Medium Medium High Medium Medium Medium
Fescue - Chewings Low Low Medium Medium
to High		 Medium
to High		 Low to
Medium		 Low to
Medium
Fescue - Hard Low Low Medium Medium
to High		 Medium
to High		 Low to
Medium		 Low to
Medium
Fescue - Creeping Low Low Medium High Medium
to High		 Low to
Medium		 Low to
Medium
Fescue - Turf Type Low to
Medium		 Medium
to High		 Medium
to High		 Medium High Low High
Ryegrass - Perennial Medium High Low to
Medium		 Medium Medium Low Medium
to High
Warm Season
Grasses		 Fertility
Needs		 Wear
Resistance		 Mowing
Height		 Cold
Tolerance		 Acid Soil
Tolerance 		Thatching
Tendency		 Heat
Tolerance
Bahiagrass Low Medium
to High		 High Low Low Medium
to High		 High
Bermudagrass Medium High Low to
Medium		 Low to
Medium		 Medium Medium High
Blue Grama Low Low High High Low Low High
Buffalograss Low Low High High Low Low High
Carpetgrass Low Medium
to High		 Low Medium
to High		 Medium
to High		 High Low
Centipedegrass Low Low Medium
to High		 Medium
to High		 High Medium High
Seashore Paspalum Medium
to High		 Medium
to High		 Low Medium Low Medium
to High		 High
Zoysiagrass Low to
Medium		 Medium
to High		 Low to
Medium		 High Low to
Medium		 Medium
to High		 High

Grass Seed Calculator - Find How Much Seed You Need

There are two methods to calculate the square feet of the area you are planting. Method 1: measure the size of your yard or yards that you want to purchase grass seed for. If you have circles or triangles you may have to get out the old math book to determine the length and width. Method 2: enter the measures for you lot in the first section. Enter measures for your house, garage, and other buildings in section 2. In section 3, enter other dimensions of areas you will not be seeding such as driveways and sidewalks. The calculator will subtract the area you are not seeding from you lot size to determine the amount of square feet that you will be seeding. After you have entered your dimensions, scroll down to the next section and choose the grass seed you want to purchase and enter the seeding rate into the calculator.

Yards / Lot SizeBuildings if using lot sizeOther if using lot size
Yard 1 Width: ft.
Yard 1 Length: ft.
Yard 2 Width: ft.
Yard 2 Length: ft.
Yard 3 Width: ft.
Yard 3 Length: ft.
Yard 4 Width: ft.
Yard 4 Length: ft.
Building 1 Width: ft.
Building 1 Length: ft.
Building 2 Width: ft.
Building 2 Length: ft.
Other 1 Width: ft.
Other 1 Length: ft.
Other 2 Width: ft.
Other 2 Length: ft.

Quick Reference Guide For Calculating Your Seed

Once you have typed in the dimensions of your lot or yards up above, it is now time to find the grass seed you are interested in and how many square feet that grass seed will cover. To do this, simply look at the list below of the grass seeds we offer. Find the grass you are interested in and the look to the right to see how many square feet one pound of seed covers. For thicker turf and quicker establishment, choose the smaller number. Take that number and type it into the calculator where it says, "1 Pound Covers." Hit the "Calculate" button and then just look to the right to see how many pounds of seed you will need to cover your yards. Round up to the nearest package size that we offer.

Cool Season Grasses:
Type of Grass:Name of Grass:Square Feet Covered
Bentgrass, Colonial Highland 500 to 1000
Bentgrass, Creeping Nu Penn or Penncross 500 to 1000
Bluegrass, Creeping True Putt 350 to 500
Bluegrass, Kentucky Midnight or World Cup 350 to 500
Bluegrass, Rough Maximum 350 to 500
EnvirolawnEnvirolawn 750
Fescue, Fine Hard, Creeping, Sheeps or Legacy 150 to 200
Fescue, Turf Type Tall Combat Extreme 100 to 125
Mixtures, Turf Type Fescue & Kentucky Bluegrass Combat Blue 175 to 200
Mixtures, Ryegrass & Fine Fescue Garland 125 to 175
Mixtures, Ryegrass, Bluegrass, & Fine Fescue Showtime 175 to 250
Mixtures, Rough Bluegrass & Supina Bluegrass Poa Supina 350 to 500
Ryegrass, Perennial Outsidepride Blend 100 to 140
Warm Season Grasses:
Type of Grass:Name of Grass:Square Feet Covered
Bahia Pensacola 175 to 200
Bermuda Laprima, Princess, or Riviera 350 to 500
Blue Grama Bad River 350 to 500
Buffalo Cody or Supreme 350 to 500
CarpetCarpet 200 to 250
Centipede Coated 1000 to 2000
Seashore PaspalumSeashore Paspalum 1000
Zoysia Companion or Zenith 500 to 1000
Area Covered By One Pound Of Seed: 1 Pound Covers: sq. ft. ~
—— Calculated Area: ——
yard 1 Area: sq. ft.
yard 2 Area: sq. ft.
yard 3 Area: sq. ft.
yard 4 Area: sq. ft.
 Total Area WITHOUT Other and Buildings substituted
Total Area: sq. ft.

Total Area WITH Other and Buildings substituted
Total Area: sq. ft.
Total Pounds Needed:

LazyManTM Soil Improvement Product Line


Before you leave our web site with your grass seed, please be sure to check out our LazyMan Liquid product line. No need to rent aerators and dethatchers any more! Just spray on and let the products do the work for you and enrich your soil at the same time.
Lawn Aerator Lawn Dethatcher Soil Conditioner
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