How to Grow Grass in Phoenix, AZ

Plant the lawn in fall in Phoenix. Measure the length and width of the planting area in feet. Multiply the two measurements and divide the total by 9 to get the square yardage of sod you'll need. Order the sod.

Clear the planting site of all vegetation and rocks. If the soil is compacted, cultivate it to a depth of 6 to 8 inches with a tilling machine. Rake it smooth, at a slight downward grade, away from the foundation of the house and other buildings.

Water the cultivated soil with sprinklers for several hours, the night before planting sod in Phoenix. When the sod arrives the next morning, check to see that it is moist, green and healthy. If it is dry or yellowed, send it back.

Unroll the sod onto the planting site. Butt pieces close together and do not stretch them to fit or you'll tear the roots. Cut pieces with a box cutter to fit curved or angled areas. Roll over the sod with a sod roller to ensure firm contact of the roots with soil.

Irrigate with sprinklers every 3 or 4 days in Phoenix. When the grass reaches a height of 3 1/2 inches, cut it back to two inches with a lawn mower. Always allow the grass to grow to 1/3 taller than the height you want before mowing so you won't over-stress the grass.

Fertilize your Phoenix lawn in early October and May, with a balanced nitrogen lawn fertilizer. For bluegrass sod, 2 lbs. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in October and 1/2 lb. of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet in May is recommended. Water well before and after fertilizing to help nutrients reach grass roots quickly.