What is the Northwest Water-Wise Lawn Mix
The TWCA Water-Wise Northwest Mix is a premium cool-season blend for USDA Zones 3–7, ideal for the Pacific Northwest. Certified to use up to 40% less water, it combines fast-germinating perennial ryegrass, dense Kentucky bluegrass, and shade-tolerant red fescue. This mix creates a lush, resilient, medium-dark green lawn that handles foot traffic, sun, or light shade. Establishes quickly, thrives year-round, and stays green with less water—perfect for eco-friendly, high-performance lawns.
Specifications
Sun Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
Soil Preference
Well-drained loam, clay or sand; moderate fertility
Soil pH
6.0–7.5 (optimum ~6.5)
Time to Maturity
7-21 days
Height when mature
~3 inches
Seeding Rate
5 lbs/500 sq ft
Planting Depth
1/8 to 1/4 inch
Northwest Water-Wise Lawn Mix | TWCA Certified
SKU: TURF-W-NWE
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Description
Rapid Germination
Contains quick-sprouting ryegrass (5–10 days) for fast green-up
Wear-Tolerant
Perennial ryegrass endures heavy use (ranked highest for traffic tolerance), ideal for sports or kids.
Dense, Self-Repairing Sod
Kentucky bluegrass rhizomes knit the lawn into a lush, high-density turf
Shade & Drought Tolerance
Fine fescue thrives in partial shade and drier conditions
Water-Wise
TWCA-certified mix uses ~30–40% less water than conventional lawns
Description
Detail Product
Sun/Shade
Full sun to partial shade
Height
~2–3.5 inches
Seeding Rate
5 lbs/500 sq ft
Uses
High-traffic lawns, sports turf, residential landscapes, partial shade, drought-conscious users
Color
medium to fine; medium to dark green
Water
medium to fine; medium to dark green
Native
Introduced
Life Form
Perennial Grass
Planting and Growing Guide
Soil Prep
Test soil pH (aim ~6.5) and fertility. Amend as needed (add lime if pH <6.0, incorporate 2–3″ compost in poor soils). Fine-tune nutrients per soil test. Soil should be well-tilled and graded. (Kentucky bluegrass prefers pH 6.0–7.5
Seeding
For best results, seed in early fall or spring (late summer to fall is ideal in northern areas). Apply at ~10 lbs per 1,000 sq.ft. using a drop or broadcast spreader—half in each direction for even coverage. Lightly rake or roll seeds to ensure good soil contact (1/16–1/8″ deep). Apply a starter fertilizer with 0.5–1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq.ft. at planting.
Watering & First Mow
Keep soil consistently moist with frequent, light watering until germination—don’t let it dry out. Once seedlings emerge, reduce frequency but water deeper: ~1″ per session, 2–3 times per week. Mow when grass reaches 3–4″, cutting to 2–3″ (never remove more than 1/3 of the blade). Minimize traffic until turf is well-rooted, usually several weeks after germination.
Ongoing Maintenance
After establishment, water deeply but infrequently (~1–1.5″ per week). Mow regularly to maintain a 2–3″ height. Fertilize with ~1 lb N/1,000 sq.ft. in early fall and spring (less for fine fescue; follow soil test). Core-aerate annually in spring or fall to boost root depth. Overseed thin areas each fall to maintain density. Use spring pre-emergents and spot treatments to control weeds.
Questions & Answers
When is the best time to seed?
Cool-season lawns seed best in late summer to early fall, when soil is warm and moisture is reliable. This timing gives seedlings two cool seasons (fall and spring) to establish before summer heat. Early spring is also possible, but weeds and summer stress can be issues.
Can I overseed an existing lawn with this mix?
Yes – overseed thin areas in early fall or spring. Mow low (2″), core-aerate or rake to loosen soil, then spread seed evenly. Good seed-to-soil contact is crucial (firm seed with a roller or light tamping). Keep the area moist until new grass establishes. Overseeding thickens the lawn, which helps crowd out weeds.
How much water does it need?
After establishment, plan on about 1–1.5 inches of water per week (including rainfall) applied deeplyextension.colostate.edu. In drought or hot midsummer, watering may need to increase. TWCA studies show this mix uses ~30–40% less water than conventional turf. Always water infrequently and deeply (to 4–6″) to encourage deep roots. New seedings require light daily watering initially to keep soil moist.
Is this mix drought tolerant?
Yes – it includes fine fescue, which is notably drought-hardy. Fine fescues prefer drier soils and will persist with less water. Under summer drought, fescues go dormant but recover well with fall rain. Overall, this mix stays greener longer under water stress than a pure bluegrass lawn, but any grass will eventually brown if kept bone dry.
What about winter care?
Cool-season grasses go semi-dormant in winter but generally survive freezing. Mow lower (1.5–2″) before winter to reduce snow mold risk. Fescues stay green in mild winters. Minimal watering is needed if it’s not snow-covered. Rake leaves to prevent smothering. In early spring, raise mower height to avoid scalping emerging grass.
How do I repair bare patches?
How do I repair bare patches?
Lightly rake the bare soil, add a thin layer of topsoil if needed, and broadcast seed (same rate) over the patch. Cover seeds with ~1/8–1/4″ of soil. Keep the spot moist (water lightly several times a day) until seedlings fill in. For large areas, overseeding as described above is recommended. Straw mulch can help protect seed from birds and drying
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