How to Choose the Best Drought-Resistant Mix for Pasture Seeding (Compared)
- Rion Buswell
- Jun 17
- 5 min read
If you live in Colorado, you know the drill. One week it’s a blizzard, the next week it’s 90 degrees with a wind that feels like a blow-dryer on high. For landowners around Parker, Elizabeth, and Castle Rock, keeping a pasture looking like a pasture: and not a dusty dirt lot: can feel like a full-time job you didn't apply for.
When people call us for land reclamation services, the first question is usually: "What grass can actually survive here without a million-dollar water bill?"
The answer isn't a single "magic seed." It’s about choosing the right team of grasses that can handle our extreme climate. We call it "Dryland" for a reason, but dryland doesn't have to mean dead land. With the right pasture seeding strategy and a focus on regenerative agriculture in Colorado, you can have a resilient, productive field that feeds your horses and holds your soil together.
Let’s break down the top contenders for your Colorado acreage.
1. Crested Wheatgrass: The "Ironman" of Grasses
If there were an Olympics for grass, Crested Wheatgrass would be the guy winning the decathlon in a hail storm.
This stuff is tough. It’s one of the most drought-hardy species we use for pasture maintenance. It wakes up early in the spring: often before anything else: giving your property that first splash of green when everything else is still brown.
The Pros:
Insane Drought Tolerance: It can survive on as little as 8-10 inches of rain a year.
Early Green-up: Great for early spring grazing.
Strong Establishment: It’s a "pioneer" species, meaning it’s great at moving into rough ground and taking hold.
The Cons:
The "Clump" Factor: If you don't manage it (mow it or graze it), it can grow in bunches or clumps, leaving bare dirt in between.
Palatability: Once it goes to seed in the summer, it gets "stemmy" and tough. Your horses will start looking at it like a bowl of dry Shredded Wheat.
2. Smooth Brome: The "Old Reliable"
Smooth Brome is the guy who shows up to work every day, does a solid job, and doesn't complain: until it gets too hot.
This is a "sod-forming" grass. Unlike the clumpy wheatgrass, Smooth Brome sends out rhizomes (underground runners) to create a thick carpet. This makes it an absolute superstar for erosion control services because it literally stitches your soil together.
The Pros:
Erosion King: Excellent for hillsides or areas prone to washing out.
Very Palatable: Livestock generally love it.
Winter Hardy: It handles Colorado winters like a champ.
The Cons:
The July Snooze: When that 95-degree July heat hits, Smooth Brome basically goes on vacation. It goes dormant and stays brown until the temps drop or the rain returns.
Greedy: It can be a bit of a nitrogen hog. To keep it lush, you might need a fertilizer plan.
3. Orchardgrass: The "Gourmet Choice"
If you’ve got horses, you’ve probably heard of Orchardgrass. It’s the high-end steak of the forage world. It’s incredibly leafy, nutrient-dense, and stays palatable much longer into the season than wheatgrass.
However, Orchardgrass is a bit of a "diva" compared to the Ironman. It needs a little more love to thrive in our thin Colorado soils.
The Pros:
Premium Forage: High protein and high digestibility.
Rapid Regrowth: If you mow it or graze it, it bounces back quickly if there’s moisture.
Aesthetic: It stays green and lush looking for a long time.
The Cons:
Low Drought Tolerance: It’s the most sensitive of the bunch. If you have zero irrigation and a very sandy, dry lot, Orchardgrass will struggle.
Needs Pampering: It does best in mixes where it has a little protection from other grasses or in areas with slightly better soil moisture.
4. Meadow Brome: The "All-Rounder"
Meadow Brome is like the cousin of Smooth Brome, but it doesn't take the July nap. It stays productive longer into the summer and establishes itself very quickly after seeding.
In our pasture seeding projects, we love Meadow Brome because it plays well with others. It’s a great "mixer."
The Pros:
Quick Start: One of the fastest to establish from seed.
Great Regrowth: It keeps growing even after being grazed.
Strong Resilience: It’s resistant to many common pests and diseases.
The Cons:
Bunchy Habit: Like wheatgrass, it can be slightly bunch-forming if not seeded at the right density.
The "Regenerative" Secret: Why a Mix Wins Every Time
In the old days, people would plant a "monoculture": just one type of grass. But at Back 40 Acres, we lean into regenerative agriculture in Colorado. Nature doesn't like a monopoly.
When we create a custom seed mix for your property, we’re building an ecosystem.
The Smooth Brome holds the dirt down.
The Crested Wheatgrass provides that early spring bite.
The Orchardgrass adds the high-quality nutrition.
The Meadow Brome keeps things green through the early summer.
Diverse mixes create better soil health because different roots reach different depths, pulling up nutrients and opening up the soil for water to soak in. Plus, if we have a particularly weird year (like a late frost or a record-breaking drought), a mix ensures that something in your field will survive and thrive.
Decision Guide: What Should You Plant?
Choosing a mix depends on two main things: what’s eating the grass and how much water you have.
Goal | Best Starting Mix | Why? |
Horse Property | Orchardgrass + Meadow Brome | High nutrition, palatable, and soft on the mouth. |
Cattle/Livestock | Crested Wheatgrass + Smooth Brome | Tough, high-volume forage that can handle heavy grazing. |
No Irrigation/Dry Lot | Mostly Crested Wheatgrass + Meadow Brome | Focuses on survival and early growth when moisture is highest. |
Erosion/Slope Control | Smooth Brome + Pubescent Wheatgrass | Heavy sod-formers that lock the soil in place. |
Getting it in the Ground: Why Professional Seeding Matters
You can buy the best seed in the world, but if you just throw it on the ground and hope for the best, you’re basically just feeding the local bird population.
Colorado soil is often "hard-pan": it’s packed tight. To get these grasses to grow, you need seed-to-soil contact. That’s why we use specialized equipment like the Truax seeder. It’s designed to cut through the crust and place the seed at the exact depth needed for germination.
We also recommend soil aeration before seeding. It’s like giving your pasture a lung: it lets air, water, and nutrients get down to the roots where they belong.
Let's Reclaim Your Land
At Back 40 Acres, we don’t just show up and mow. We treat your land like it’s our own. Our owner, Rion Buswell, grew up on a family farm and has spent a lifetime learning how to work with the Colorado climate, not against it.
Whether you're trying to fix a patchy field, manage invasive weeds, or start from scratch on a new property, we're here to guide you. We work with any budget and provide the honest, reliable service you’d expect from a neighbor.
Ready to turn that dirt lot into a thriving pasture? Let's Chat!
Give us a call or check out our seeding services to see how we can help you reclaim your Back 40.
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