Will Lawns Of The Future Be Drought-Resistant?

One more tool in the water scarcity survival arsenal: free drought-resistant lawns. 

Government-sponsored incentives to install such lawns have spurred a new business model. A company called Turf Terminators is offering homeowners the chance to have drought-resistant lawns planted for free, Los Angeles Daily News reported. 

How does that work? Turf Terminators utilizes water rebates from state water authorities that are offered per square foot of turf that is removed and replaced. Customers assign their rights to state-offered water rebates over to Turf Terminators, the company says. 

Lorianne and Tibor Baranyai tried this approach. A company "tore out their yellowing turf and put in a drought-tolerant yard — for free," the Daily News said. 

“Not having spent a single dime on it, I like it,” Lorianne Baranyai said in the report. “It saves water. We’re in a drought, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Ashland, CA, is one area where the government offers incentives to rip up the lawn.

"The city of Ashland is offering money to people who replace their lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping, pavers or permeable artificial turf. Launched this month, the program is meant to reduce watering of thirsty lawns as Ashland faces drought and water curtailment measures this summer," Ashland Daily Tidings reported.

TreeHugger, a sustainability news source, says there are six types of lawns that require less water. They include Zoysia grass, Bermuda grass, St. Augstine grass, Buffalo grass, Bahia grass, and Fescues.

Check out Water Online's Water Scarcity Solution Center. 

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