This page records what New Mexico State University Extension and the Albuquerque Bernalillo
County Water Utility Authority publish about growing turf in the Albuquerque area: which grasses
are suited to the local climate, when they can be established, what the soil does, and when
irrigation is allowed. Each figure below is attributed to the publication it comes from, with the
date it was read.
Grass species suited to the Albuquerque area
NMSU Extension Guide H-508 states that cool-season grasses can generally be used anywhere north
of Socorro. Albuquerque lies north of Socorro, so both cool-season and warm-season species are
in range.
| Season type | Species named by NMSU Extension | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Cool-season | Perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue | Tall fescue is described as a good general-purpose turfgrass for New Mexico. |
| Warm-season | Bermudagrass, buffalograss, zoysiagrass | Warm-season grasses go dormant and lose color for at least five months of the year in New Mexico. |
Source: NMSU Extension Guide H-508 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H508. Read 2026-07-28.
Establishment windows
NMSU Extension Guide H-509, Table 1, gives seeding windows for northern New Mexico.
| Method | Grass type | Window (northern New Mexico) |
|---|---|---|
| Seeding | Warm-season | May 15 – Aug 1 |
| Seeding | Cool-season | Aug 15 – Sept 15 |
| Sodding | Either | Spring, summer and autumn |
Source: NMSU Extension Guide H-509 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H509. Read 2026-07-28.
What the soil does
Soil pH in New Mexico is normally between 6.5 and 8.4, and western soils are typically alkaline
(NMSU Extension Guide A-146). Many soils of arid and semi-arid New Mexico also have caliche layers
beneath the surface, cemented by calcium and magnesium carbonates (NMSU Extension Guide A-151).
Caliche affects drainage and root depth, which is why planting depth and drainage are checked
before turf or beds are established.
Sources: NMSU Extension Guide A-146 —
pubs.nmsu.edu/_a/A146;
NMSU Extension Guide A-151 —
pubs.nmsu.edu/_a/A151. Read 2026-07-28.
When irrigation is allowed
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority restricts spray irrigation between
11 a.m. and 7 p.m. from April 1 to October 31. Drip irrigation and low-precipitation systems are
treated separately under those rules. Establishment windows above sit inside this restriction, so
a new lawn seeded in the summer window is watered outside the prohibited hours.
Source: Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority —
abcwua.org. Read 2026-07-26.
Frequently asked questions
Can cool-season grass be grown in Albuquerque?
Yes. NMSU Extension Guide H-508 places the cool-season range north of Socorro, and Albuquerque
lies north of that line.
When can warm-season grass be seeded?
May 15 to August 1 in northern New Mexico, per NMSU Extension Guide H-509, Table 1.
Why does a warm-season lawn turn brown in winter?
Warm-season grasses go dormant and lose color for at least five months of the year in
New Mexico, according to NMSU Extension Guide H-508. The plant is dormant, not dead.
Does the soil need amending before planting?
Soil pH in New Mexico normally runs 6.5 to 8.4 and is typically alkaline, and caliche layers
are common beneath the surface. Both are established by NMSU Extension Guides A-146 and A-151 and
are the reason a soil check precedes planting.
Sources
- Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) — www.abcwua.org (read 2026-07-26)
- NMSU Extension Guide A-146 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_a/A146 (read 2026-07-28)
- NMSU Extension Guide A-151 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_a/A151/index.html (read 2026-07-28)
- NMSU Extension Guide H-508 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H508/index.html (read 2026-07-28)
- NMSU Extension Guide H-509 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H509/index.html (read 2026-07-28)
- NMSU Extension Guide H-509 Table 1 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H509/index.html (read 2026-07-28)
Information on this page was read from the sources listed above on the dates shown.
Rules and publications change; the issuing body is authoritative.
By the ABQ Landscape Co Editorial Team. Reviewed for Albuquerque-area landscaping
accuracy.