With the warmest winter in recorded history under our belts, many Northern Utah homeowners may find themselves reconsidering previous landscaping plans. While you might have once dreamt of a  flourishing green turf lawn, you may be worried about the rising cost of keeping it lush throughout the warmest months of the year and beyond. 

Instead, you may be considering altering your vision a bit and investing in professional xeriscaping. This is certainly a great way to reduce your water usage, especially during the summer months. But is this major landscaping change the right choice for your home in the Lehi or Saratoga Springs area? 

In this blog, we’ll compare xeriscaping and local turf to help you make the best decision for your long-term landscaping needs and more. 

Consider Water Usage and Local Restrictions

When it comes to landscaping your yard, one of the biggest concerns most Northern Utah homeowners have is regular water usage. The 2025/26 winter season was the warmest in recorded history, and the state recorded the lowest snow collection as well. With limited snowpack, homeowners have been asked to cut back on regular watering.

This includes watering your turf. If you’ve been considering renovating your yard, you may have been considering investing in turf. However, these limitations may have you on edge. While it can be hard to determine what future winters will bring, low snowfall every year can directly lead to higher water usage and costs, as well as significant restrictions on water use. 

That’s when xeriscaping becomes the most appealing. Homeowners that make the switch to xeriscaped landscaping can save up to 120 gallons of water a day, or up to 30,000 gallons of water a year. Whether local restrictions are in place or you’re looking to reduce your water bill during the hottest months of the year, this can be an attractive alternative. 

Think About Long-Term Maintenance and Cost

Beyond the water usage and local restriction, it is also important to think about the long-term cost of maintaining your yard. Turf isn’t just expensive to keep green. It can also be incredibly expensive to maintain over the years. If you want your yard to look its best, you have to ensure you’re mowing, edging, and aerating it on a regular basis. 

If you don’t have the tools to do this, you’ll have to purchase or rent them, which can quickly increase the cost. Homeowners who don’t want to do their own lawn maintenance will have to consider the cost of hiring a professional maintenance team. But this maintenance cost is a much less significant concern when you invest in xeriscaping. 

While you still need to maintain xeriscaping, it is much less extensive. You’ll need to weed and prune. However, this maintenance is far less frequent than mowing and edging. If you’re looking for a lower maintenance, less expensive way to keep your yard looking its best, it may be time to consider making the investment in a xeriscaped lawn. 

Weigh Local Incentives and Rebates

As you begin considering your landscaping options, it would also be good to consider local incentives and rebates. Utah policymakers have put a greater emphasis on incentivizing homeowners to invest in more drought-resistant landscaping. These are offered to homeowners through the Utah Water Savers program and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. 

These organizations are offering Utah County homeowners up to $3.00 per square foot to replace their turf with more drought-resistant options, an initiative referred to as Flip Your Strip. They also offer incentives for homeowners to invest in smart watering systems, drip irrigation systems, tree planting, and more. 

If you’ve been on the fence about whether turf or xeriscaping would be a better choice for your home, these incentives can make xeriscaped yards more appealing. Once you’ve received these rebates for replacing less drought-tolerant landscaping, you’ll have spent significantly less to transform your lawn into something more attractive. 

Don’t Forget About Your Curb Appeal

Although water usage, maintenance, and local incentives are important, you shouldn’t forget your curb appeal while making a landscaping plan. Thankfully, you don’t have to compromise on curb appeal, regardless of whether you prefer xeriscaping or turf lawns. Both can help you achieve your curb appeal goals, but they will look vastly different. 

Your turf lawn will give a bright green, lush, carpeted appearance. While there may be some trees or shrubs, this is generally limited with turf lawns. If you want a lawn that blends seamlessly with the rest of your neighborhood, turf may be the best choice. Alternatively, xeriscaping will use a mix of rocks, mulch, and drought-friendly plants. 

When completed, your xeriscaped lawn will look much more deep, natural, and textured. When you work with a team of professionals for your landscape design, you can find a way to get a bit of both in one lawn. They will design a yard that can help you meet your maintenance and water usage goals without compromising on appearance. 

Which is Right for Your Northern Utah Home?

If you’re still on the fence about which landscape design is right for your home, there are a few major benefits and drawbacks to consider, including:

The Benefits of Turf:

• Stays cool underfoot, even on blistering hot summer days
• Produces oxygen and supports local biodiversity
• Provides a soft, organic cushion underfoot
• Initially costs less than some other landscaping options

The Drawbacks of Turf:

• Requires frequent irrigation to survive hot, dry weather conditions
• Needs constant maintenance to look its best
• Vulnerable to yellowing and browning with heavy foot traffic and pets

The Benefits of Xeriscaping:

• Significant reduction in your monthly and yearly water use
• Minimal maintenance for busy homeowners
• Eco-friendly habitat creation for local wildlife
• Reduction in chemical reliance, including fertilizers and pesticides

The Drawbacks of Xeriscaping: 

• Higher upfront cost for installation
• Reduced yard usability for children and pets
• Potential heat retention with rocks and dark mulch

To ensure you’re making the best choice for your home, consider partnering with a local landscaping team. They will understand the unique needs and challenges you’ll face, and help you make a decision that meets all of your needs without compromise. 

Let Total Yard Pro Transform Your Property

Whether you love the look of lush local turf or prefer the lower maintenance and cost savings that come with xeriscaping, Total Yard Pro is here to help. As a local landscaping team, we understand the unique challenges faced by homeowners in the area. When you partner with us, you can trust our team to design a yard that meets your aesthetic goals without compromising on your maintenance and water usage considerations.

When you’re ready to transform your yard, whether with turf or xeriscaping, contact our team of experts in Mapleton today.