[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Olin Miller]

Seems to me this is not an either/or question.  Although there is some 
overlap in the growing seasons, one does expect to grow both during the same 
season.  Rye grass is grown during the cool winter months and growth is not 
as vigorous as for Bermudagrass which is grown in the hot summer months.  In 
my experience , Bermudagrass needs much more water.

There is quantities water consumption information for common Bermudagrass 
mown at 2 inches at
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/water/az1314.pdf
and at
http://cals.arizona.edu/AZMET/data/00prptet.htm
Hybrid Bermudagrass would require more.

For current watering requirements, see the weather page in your daily 
newspaper or see
http://cals.arizona.edu/AZMET/data/00plawn.htm

According to Step 4: Maintenance at
http://www.westernsod.com/index.php?page=maintenance.html
" ... Deep watering will allow the roots to penetrate farther which reduces 
salt buildup and makes a more water efficient lawn that is drought tolerant. 
Use a long screwdriver to check for water penetration. If you can insert it 
8 to 10 inches easily, you have adequate water depth in the soil.
....
         Ideally, a complete fertilizer should be applied on a monthly basis 
for an established lawn. For turfgrass, use a complete fertilizer with a 
3-1-2 ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, ie 21-7-14 or 15-5-10. 
Use about 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet every 4 to 6 weeks 
during the growing season.
         Example: The fertilizer has an analysis of 21-7-14. The first 
number represents Nitrogen. Divide 100 by 21, which is about 5. Therefore, 5 
pounds of fertilizer are required to apply 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 
1000 square feet. By using a balanced fertilizer, when the correct amount of 
nitrogen is applied, the correct amount of phosphorous and potassium is also 
applied. "

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
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 ----- Original Message ----- From: <hanareddy at cox.net>
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 11:01 AM
> Nancy 85202
> Overall, which lawn takes more water: bermudagrass of overseeded rye?
> Also, in the Master Gardener Manual, the table showing recommended 
> maintenance for bermudagrass is not available.