[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[p.dobson at cox.net]

Paul Dobson
85028
p.dobson at cox.net

Installing a Lawn, Grasses

A long time ago, we converted our back yard in Phoenix, Arizona to desert landscaping with gravel.  We were happy with that decision until recently.

First, we have two athletic dogs who ceaselessly run, wrestle and play.  They are part of the family, and they have a doggie door.  The dust in their coats, in our yard and in the house is frustrating.  Second, we our training our dogs for agility competitions.  The agility competitions occur on grass, so our backyard would best be converted to grass.  Also, the gravel is rough on their paws.

We will definitely be converting our back yard to grass to accommodate our dogs.  We still want our desert trees and scrubs which means areas of shade and areas of sun, and litter from plants.  We presently see two choices.  The first choice is artificial turf.  The second choice is live grass.

We hate bermuda grass and would prefer a native or noninvasive grass that has a soft texture.  We have reviewed the selection of grasses from Plants of the Southwest and are familiar with the following choices: (1) buffalograss, (2) blue grama grass, (3) summer green lawn blend, (4) streambank wheat grass, western wheatgrass, and (5) indian ricegrass.  Do you have any suggestions for Phoenix, Arizona?

Keep in mind that we would want a summer lawn, and - if the lawn becomes dormant during winter, a winter lawn that does not interfere with the winter lawn.  Alternately, we would want a lawn that is alive during most of the year.

Also, of course, the grass(es) must not be poisonous or produce things - e.g. dangerous seed husks - that could harm the dogs.

Also, we would appreciate a recommendation of a company in Phoenix or elsewhere in Maricopa County, that would assist in irrigation and soil improvement - a company geared to establishing or maintaining a lawn of one or more of the grasses we mentioned.  Our soil is very hard.  It has a lot of clay and caliche.