NMSU Researchers Create Statewide Series of Turf Grass Trials

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A New Mexico State University researcher is testing grasses to help New Mexico homeowners learn which grow best in their area. Anna María Pérez-Wright reports.

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A New Mexico State University scientist is developing a new way for you to have backyard full of grass perfectly suited to your water and weather situation. Thirty-two different grasses are being tested in side-by-side trials for hardiness, cold tolerance and water use. Turfgrass specialist Bernd Leinauer with N-M-S-U's Cooperative Extension Service is testing the grasses at science centers in Artesia, Las Cruces, Tucumcari and two golf courses in Gallup and Albuquerque.

"We picked grasses that are commonly used in New Mexico now. We also picked grasses that have been overlooked in the past for whatever reason. "

Leinauer's research focuses on how well these grasses grow, if they can survive New Mexico's winters and how they differ in water use. In his experiment, warm-season grasses like zoysia are watered twice a week. The thirstier cool-season selections like fescue are irrigated daily.

"It's important for the people to see how those grasses compare to one another when they are irrigated just with the right amount of water."

Leinauer says one reason N-M-S-U is developing these statewide turf grass trials is because many homeowners just don't know much about these new grasses. He says new warm-season grasses on the market have much-improved cold- and salt-tolerance. New cool-season grasses with drought and alkaline tolerance features are also available. For N-M-S-U's College of Agriculture and Home Economics, I'm Anna María Pérez-Wright.