I don't know why grass is the proper plant for yards. Perhaps it is because grass is verdant-looking and easy-to-manage. I suppose a wheat yard might look messy and a yard composed of nothing but lambsquarter would be positively nightmarish.

In Phoenix, many people have yards decorated by colorful stones with a few cactus plants growing in apposite places. In Los Angeles, people still have grass, but it is a bit rainier than Arizona. However, it is not that rainy.

One of things that Los Angelinos do to grow grass in such a dry environment is to plant appropriate grasses on their lawns. Some types of grass require lots of tender, loving care, but other variants are resistant and robust and can seemingly survive off of willpower and spite. The less water used on a lawn, the more water we can conserve, the better it is for everyone.

If you are considering a grass for your lawn, please consider these.

Buffalo grass is one of those grasses that claws to life with every chloroplast-filled cell. It is drought resistant, but it can die from over-watering. Not right for Seattle, but perfect for Southern California.

Turf-type tall fescue is a hardy brand of grass. It cannot grow in the southern regions of the United States, and it can die in the colder areas of the states. OK. So it is not that hardy, but it is drought resistant and probably good for those living around 40 degrees latitude.

Seashore pasapalum hails from the dunes of South Africa and is suited for similar climates. It looks similar to Bermuda grass. Best of all, gray water causes this specimen of grass to thrive.