Rather than plant grass that would need constant watering, mowing and fertilizing, it turned to native plants that pretty much took care of themselves. Today, shoulder-high grasses wave in the ...

Once the seed germinates and the grass is tall enough to mow, give it a shot of dilute fertilizer — maybe half the recommended rate. And once it fills in and your lawn looks great, if anyone ...

Native plants draw far less water than Kentucky blue grass and the West is suffering from an ongoing megadrought. ... Buffalo grass, a more sustainable alternative, can sell for up to $20 a pound.