Buffalograss

A drought-resistant native, Buffalograss prefers life on the dry side and will form a thick turf that rarely grows more than 8 inches tall. If rainfall and irrigation are scarce, the plants will turn brown and go dormant, reviving quickly when moisture returns. Buffalograss is cold hardy and doesn't need to be fed as frequently as other grasses. It prefers full sun and has few insect or disease problems. Buffalograss can't tolerate heavy foot traffic.

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Zoysia

Thriving in sun or light shade, Zoysia is a warm-season grass that goes dormant when the temperatures drop in the fall. It's slow growing and will eventually form a thick carpet that's dense enough to handle foot traffic and eliminate weed competition. Some varieties are considered more drought-tolerant than others. Look for JaMur, 'Palisades', 'El Toro', or 'Empire'. It's best to start a Zoysia lawn from plugs or sod. Plants grown from seed can vary in appearance and hardiness. In the North, Zoysia can be slow to green up in the spring.

Saint Augustinegrass

In warmer regions of the country, Saint Augustinegrass is a durable low-water lawn alternative. It forms mats of thick green foliage that's dense enough to eliminate weed competition. Saint Augustinegrass grows quickly during the summer months but eventually slows down and goes dormant in the fall. The plants grow in either sun or light shade and require regular applications of nitrogen fertilizer. It is not recommended for high-traffic locations. Look for drought-resistant varieties such as 'Palmetto,' 'Sapphire,' 'Floratam,' and 'Seville'.

Tall Fescue

Once used primarily as a pasture grass to feed livestock, Tall Fescue became a popular turf grass when its resistance to heat and drought were discovered. Tall Fescue is a cool-season grass with thick, coarse, textured leaves with strong disease resistance. Because the plants develop a deep root system, they are better able to withstand dry spells. Tall Fescue grows well in sun or partial shade, stays green all winter, and can tolerate foot traffic. Newer turf Tall Fescue varieties that have finer foliage include: 'Defiance XRE,' 'Titan LTD,' Rebel Shade' and 'Greystone'.

Other Ways to Beat the Drought

Choosing the right lawn grass for your backyard is only the first step to minimizing water use. Here are some ways to still have a lawn without turning on the tap.

• Minimize lawn areas
  If you really want a thick green lawn for your kids to play on, focus on a smaller area, putting the rest of your landscape into shrubs, natives, or groundcovers. Or, leave the rest of the yard in grass, but let it go dormant if rains are infrequent. (Learn more ways to work with less lawn via xeriscaping.)
• Water infrequently
  If you do water your lawn, do it less frequently and measure how much you are applying. Most turf grass will be just fine with about an inch of moisture a week. Get tips for creating a waterwise landscape.
• Monitor sprinklers
  If you have an automatic sprinkler system, install a timer to prevent waste. And, if possible, turn off your sprinkler system when rainfall is expected. Too often you see sprinklers going full blast in a rainstorm.
• Let your grass go dormant
  Don't be so picky about how your lawn looks. When rainfall fails to materialize, don't panic. Let your lawn go dormant. It will come back when the weather becomes cool and damp.
• Mow less frequently
  Raise the blade height on your mower to about 3 inches. Taller blades of grass require less water than those that have been scalped.

Concerned about wildfire? Try these tips.