Utah just made a big move in the eco-friendly lawn movement by legalizing a new type of drought-resistant grass that could change the way we think about lawns. Say hello to Hybrid Bermudagrass—an innovative species that looks and feels like a traditional lawn but comes with fewer environmental and financial drawbacks.
According to research from Brigham Young University, this tough grass can go up to six weeks without water, even in the scorching summer heat. Compare that to Kentucky bluegrass, the most common lawn grass in Utah, which starts to struggle after just one week without watering.
“Using this type of grass in a lawn could reduce watering to only two to three times a season,” said BYU professor Bryan Hopkins, who has dedicated nearly 20 years to studying this grass. Imagine the water savings!
So, why haven’t we been using this wonder grass all along? Until last month, Hybrid Bermudagrass was actually banned in Utah because of its connection to common Bermudagrass, an invasive weed. But don’t worry—this hybrid version doesn’t act like its troublesome relative.
Hopkins couldn’t hide his excitement: “I may seem nerdy in saying this, but the delisting of Hybrid Bermudagrass as a noxious weed in Utah nearly brings tears to my eyes. This will have such an important impact on future water conservation.”
This new grass could be a game-changer for water conservation, and it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking to make your lawn both beautiful and eco-friendly.
