1. Save time: No need to scalp the lawn, prepare the seedbed, seed, water or mow.

2. Save water: Getting ryegrass seed to germinate requires watering three times a day or more. By not overseeding, over 8,000 gallons of water can be saved for every 1,000 square feet of grass each season. In contrast, dormant Bermuda only needs to be watered once a month from November to February – even less if we get winter rains.

3. Save the air: Gasoline mowers and other lawn equipment contributes to our air pollution problems, and the scalping process releases dust and other particles into the air.

4. Decrease noise pollution: Mowers, weed whackers, and leaf blowers have become a major source of background noise in many neighborhoods.

5. Preserve water quality: Less fertilizers and pesticides will be needed. Much of our stormwater pollution comes from runoff of these products from urban landscapes.

6. Save money: Save on the cost of seed, labor, water and gasoline for mowing.

7. Set an example -During a historic drought, changing climate and Colorado River shortages, taking any voluntary action to reduce water usage through conservation can help set an example of responsible and effective water use. 

8. Save frustration: Problems with seed germination, fertilizers, diseases and irrigation are all common when planting a winter lawn.

9. Give your Bermuda a break: Overseeding can be stressful for your Bermuda grass. In the fall, scalping the summer grass before dormancy doesn’t allow for adequate storage of energy in the roots. In the spring, the rye competes with Bermuda, and customers often withhold water to transition from winter to summer grass. Unfortunately, this will also stress Bermuda.

10. Save landfill space: Scalping Bermuda grass creates a great deal of waste for the landfills. Ryegrass clippings can create additional waste all winter and spring.

View an article on rethinking your winter lawn from the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association. Explore how our neighbors in Scottsdale are also embracing fall colors with dormant lawns.

Extend the green of your Bermudagrass

If you are willing to skip overseeding but want to extend the current green of your grass, consider the following helpful tips from the City of Chandler:

• While Bermuda grass typically goes dormant in the cold months, extending the length of its growing season and lush green appearance well into winter is possible. The University of Arizona turf specialists recommend multiple applications of iron (2-4 oz of actual iron per 1000 square feet).
• Apply the first application around October 1, the next ten days, and follow up again after another ten days. Do not apply nitrogen fertilizers. Remember that even dormant Bermuda needs a ½ inch of water per month during the winter (from U of A Turf Tips).

View educational materials related to grass at Water - Use It Wisely's Grass resource page.