Is Sod the right choice for your grass lawn Colorado? Your other options using low water plants.

patchy sod lawn, some flowers and shrubs, and garden bed where grass does not grow.

2026 spring is one to remember. Colorado made history with the driest winter and spring on record. With that comes water restrictions and a focus on low water plants. The Denver district is in Stage 1, and that means reducing the water usage on lawns and landscapes by 20%. Also, the restrictions will not allow residence to water any time they want, they are on a schedule of two specific days a week and no watering between the times of 10am and 6pm. Surrounding cities will be carrying out the same restrictions if not done already.

With these water restrictions, your lawn will be affected because sod is not a low water plant. Why? All sod is made of Kentucky Blue Grass; it was picked as a main lawn choice because this particular grass can handle foot traffic but is not a low water plant. Manufactures figured out this grass can be grown in mass quantities then cut up, rolled up, and moved to a residence home to lay down and regrow in the new soil. That is why sod made it all the way up here to Colorado where low water lawns where not thought about yet. Sod will take within around a month with heavy watering a few times a day to root in. After the roots take, then it's about keeping those shallow roots cool and wet and fed from spring to fall.

Here is a quick history on lawn sod and its journey to American. In Medieval times, England and France were the first to have grassy clearings they called "laune" that surrounded the Castles to see their enemies coming. By the 17th century little by little more estates had shifted towards grassy looks and it spread throughout Europe and beyond, and it became normal to have this look around your estate. Then in 1830 the first mower was invented by English engineer Edwin Budding to help with large gardens and field sporting events. Later in the 18th century the term "lawn" was introduced to describe a designed area of grass. By the 1900s, all wealthy homes had lawns for enjoyment. In the1950s Suburbia grows and manufactured sod lawns became the norm even in Colorado.

Today we are dealing with an entirely different climate than we did 80 years ago. We all can't have that green ground look in front of our house; low water plants are becoming more popular. In Scottsdale AZ, the city probits front yards to have grass lawns for all new homes, this is to help reduce water consumption. Colorado put a law into effect a few years ago for HOA communities, allowing only 25% of your property needs to be lawn. HOAs love lawns, I have worked with many residences in HOA communities, they are all about the perfect property look. But as the future unfolds, we will all have to bend to the will of the climate and the water we are left with.

Sense sod is not sustainable; I would like to share a few seed lawn options you may want to consider.

1. Micro white clover seed:

Micro white clover lawn next to sod lawn

Benefits - low water, deep rooted, no mowing, green look, pollinator friendly.

Draw backs - does not look like a sod lawn.

2. Colorado lawn seed mixes:

photo credit: City Floral Garden Center, Denver CO: Colorado Grass seed mix lawn

Benefits - has warm and cool season grasses to keep your lawn full, low water, deep rooted, drought tolerant, less mowing.

Draw backs - grass may be different heights and color of green, too much mowing and cut too short will encourage die off and dry patches just like you see in your sod lawn today.

3. Dwarf fescue grass seed:

Photo Credit-Parker Avenue Turf: Dwarf Fescue grass seed lawn

Benefits - deep roots, low watering, less mowing, drought tolerant grass.

Draw backs - Mow too short or too many times will encourage die off and dry patches just like you see in sod lawns.

4. Wildflower seed mixes:

Photo Credit - Pinterest: wildflower garden in front yard instead of lawn - Colorado

Benefits - Pollinator friendly, colorful, diverse sizes, no mowing, sun to shade flower options, low water options.

Draw backs - not grass, does not look like a sod lawn, hard to walk on, wild not manicured look.

5. Garden beds:

Photo Credit -Pinterest: Front yard mature garden, no sod lawn.

Benefits - low water, more plant options, pollinator friendly, different look, can plant more trees.

Draw backs - Not a lawn.

Now that I have shown you some alternative options and decide to make the change away from sod. I am here to assist you thru the process and timeline.

"The grass is always greener once you don't have to mow a lawn anymore" - Washington Irving