Natural sod
Real Grass That Survives the Summer
Some people want the real thing. Grass that cools the yard and feels right under bare feet. That works here, as long as the right grass goes in, the ground under it is ready, and the water goes on at the right time.
Paul has been doing this since 2004 under California contractor license 840163, C-27 Landscaping. Licensed, bonded and insured, and the number is public at cslb.ca.gov.
Warm Season Grass, Because of Where We Are
Menifee sits in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b. At the nearest long record station, Elsinore, July averages a high of 96.5 F, and the whole year brings about 11.65 inches of rain, with only 0.31 inches of that falling June through September.
That is warm season grass country. Warm season grass does its growing in the heat. It loses some color in the cold months, and that is normal here, not a failure.
- It works with the long hot stretch instead of fighting it, and wants less water through summer than a cool season lawn.
The grass is one decision inside a whole yard plan.
Where a Lawn Belongs, and Where It Does Not
Menifee's landscape standards put two limits on lawn, both because of runoff.
- "Lawn shall not be used in areas smaller than ten (10) feet in any direction."
- "To minimize run-off, lawn shall have a maximum slope of 33% (3:1)", one foot of drop for every three feet across.
- On permitted projects the state goes further: no turfgrass on a slope steeper than one foot of drop for every four feet across.
Where ground is too narrow or too steep for sod, we plant it instead and put down the three inch mulch layer the state ordinance asks for.
Free estimate on new sod
Paul looks at the grade, the soil and the sprinklers before he talks about a single roll of grass, call (951) 566-6908.
Call (951) 566-6908The 25 Percent Rule on Bigger Projects
If the job is a new landscape of 500 square feet or more, or a permitted rehab of 2,500 square feet or more, the state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance applies.
- "Turfgrass shall not exceed 25 percent of the landscape area in residential landscapes."
- 75 percent has to be climate adapted plants.
That is a reason to put the grass where you use it. The rest becomes planting, which is the part that can earn the $5 per square foot rebate in Eastern Municipal Water District territory.
However the split lands, the lawn and the beds go on separate valves when we handle the irrigation system installation.
When You Can Water, and For How Long
Eastern Municipal Water District serves Menifee, and some rules never switch off.
- "Irrigate landscape only between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m."
- "Watering during rain, or within 48 hours after measurable rain, is prohibited."
- An unattended system is capped at fifteen minutes a day per station, unless it is low flow drip at 2 gallons per hour or less.
- Excessive flow or runoff is not allowed, and leaks have to be repaired within 48 hours.
EMWD is at Stage 1, "Supply Watch", so there is no limit on which days you can water right now.
Ask the contractor
Straight answers to landscaping questions
What kind of grass works best in Menifee?
Warm season grass. It grows in the heat, which is when a cool season lawn here starts to fail. Menifee is USDA zone 9b, with July highs averaging 96.5 F at the nearest long record station.
Is my yard too small for a lawn?
It might be. Menifee's standards say "Lawn shall not be used in areas smaller than ten (10) feet in any direction." Narrow strips waste water, because the spray lands on pavement. In those spots we plant and mulch instead.
Can sod go on a slope?
Up to a point. Menifee caps lawn at a 33 percent slope, one foot of drop for every three feet across. On permitted projects the state is tighter, no turfgrass steeper than one foot for every four. Anything steeper gets planting and three inches of mulch.
Is there a limit on how much lawn I can have?
On bigger jobs, yes. The state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance covers new landscapes of 500 square feet or more and permitted rehabs of 2,500 or more, and it caps turfgrass at 25 percent of a residential landscape. The other 75 percent is climate adapted planting.
When am I allowed to water a new lawn?
Eastern Municipal Water District allows landscape watering only between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and none during rain or within 48 hours after measurable rain. Unattended stations are held to fifteen minutes a day unless they are low flow drip.
Should I get sod or artificial turf?
It depends on the space and the sun. Real grass cools itself and stays comfortable underfoot, but it needs water and mowing. Turf stays green with no water, but it gets hotter in full sun and earns no rebate.