San Isidro Permaculture uses our own special blend of native grasses and wildflowers to recreate a bountiful grassland for a backyard, large acreage, or to stabilize a hillside. Once native grasses are established, there is no need for additional watering. Because soil fertility affects the success of grasses, we apply a soil conditioner before seeding; future natural fertilizers are recommended for certain sites.

The ideal time to seed in northern New Mexico is from March to mid August, before the monsoon season. Late fall or winter seeding will start to germinate the following spring. Check out the photographs on this page, which reveal the progression of a seeding installation as well as plantings of native grass varieties.

A lawn is still possible in our arid climate — when the appropriate grasses are chosen. To keep the area green and lush, additional water resources are needed during the hot summer months; a roof water catchment system can meet lawn irrigation needs. There are both Federal and state programs which provide tax incentives, and other sources of funding which can help offset costs.

Fescue, buffalo, and blue grama with wildflowers are suitable choices for lawns in the southwest. Blue Grama and Buffalo grasses germinate in warmer temperatures. After a growing season or two, Buffalo grass will form a dense turf lawn. Blue grama is a courser, taller grass. Warm season grasses can survive without irrigation in extremely dry times by going dormant and turning brown. Fescue grasses germinate in cooler temperatures and are successful in shadier sites but require consistent watering. They too create a turf style lawn. We create a blend of grass types based on specific site characteristics and preferences.