Seeding at the wrong point in the year is the most common reason a new Albuquerque lawn
thins out in its first season. New Mexico State University Extension publishes the windows, and they
differ by grass type.
The published seeding windows
| Grass type | Window for northern New Mexico |
|---|---|
| Warm-season | May 15 to August 1 |
| Cool-season | August 15 to September 15 |
| Sod, either type | Spring, summer and autumn |
Both windows come from NMSU Extension Guide H-509, Table 1. Sodding carries a wider window because
the turf arrives already established.
Which type applies here
NMSU Extension Guide H-508 states that cool-season grasses can generally be used anywhere north of
Socorro, and Albuquerque lies north of Socorro. Both types are therefore in range, which makes the
choice a trade-off rather than a constraint. Warm-season grasses go dormant and lose colour for at
least five months of the year in New Mexico.
The watering rule that overlaps the summer window
From April 1 to October 31 the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority prohibits spray
irrigation between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. A lawn seeded in the May-to-August window is therefore
establishing during the restricted period, and its watering has to sit outside those hours.
Sources
- NMSU Extension Guide H-509 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H509 (read 2026-07-28)
- NMSU Extension Guide H-508 — pubs.nmsu.edu/_h/H508 (read 2026-07-28)
- ABCWUA — abcwua.org (read 2026-07-26)
By the ABQ Landscape Co Editorial Team. Reviewed for Albuquerque-area landscaping accuracy.
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