As we move into the spring season and beyond I think it appropriate to award an at-a-boy to all who devote so many hours each and every day to the growth and care of turfgrass. The turfgrass industry in the USA is valued between forty and sixty billion dollars, with over fifty million acres of turf. In some instances, all our devotion to the art and science of growing turf may go unnoticed.

I also believe most of those we serve have little understanding of all the positives attributable to the turf we nurture, worry over and work very hard to maintain. So while most reading this are aware of the many benefits provided by turfgrass, I thought it well worth taking space and some of your time expounding on the contribution turf makes to the well-being of the communities we serve. Turf has countless benefits on environmental and human health, based on scientific findings and studies.

Defined as a ground cover composed of close cut, thickly growing, intertwining stems and leaves of grass plants, turfgrass differs with the ability to withstand close mowing and still provide a functional and healthy ground cover.

So exactly what are all those benefits?

Reduce Storm Water Run-off
First and foremost turf makes a significant contribution to reducing the negative impact of storm-water run-off. Proven fact, runoff can be reduced and significantly slowed by establishing new lawns and large areas of turfgrass.

But as importantly, the lawns and recreational turf we care for offers a natural filter for all sorts of contaminates and in so doing purifies rain water as it travels into the aquifer system. In fact, the filtration system we call turf has been found to function as an excellent means of lowering acid levels occurring in rainwater runoff.

Environmental Benefits
Grass plants capture and use greenhouse gases. Turf generates much of the oxygen we breathe. Turf makes a significant contribution to the production of oxygen. All green plants take in carbon dioxide and water and through the process of photosynthesis the plant gives off pure oxygen. So if you maintain a healthy lawn of say 5,000 square feet, enough oxygen is produced to meet the daily needs of up to of 8 people.

"The strategic use of turfgrass is the most sensible and economically feasible approach to countering the greenhouse effect in urban areas.“ Dr. Thomas L. Watschke, Pennsylvania State University, "The Environmental Benefits of Turfgrass and Their Impact on the Greenhouse Effect".

The fibrous root systems of turfgrasses also reduces dust and stabilizes soil on both flat and sloping areas, reducing erosion.

"Turfgrasses trap and estimated 12 million tons of dust and dirt released annually into the atmostphere." - Dr. Thomas L. Watschke, Pennsylvania State University

Reduces Soil Erosion
We are also acutely aware of the regulatory focus placed on controlling soil erosion and the movement of sediment into our streams and rivers. Turf intercepts raindrops before disturbing the soil.

We see billions of tons of soil wash away each year at a cost to the economy also measured in the billions of dollars. These systems are also extremely efficient at catching and filtering water and holding onto nutrients. So once again our turfgrass provides a very cost-effective method of significantly reducing the impact of water-born soil erosion.

As university research and growers work to improve grass varieties and as more focus is placed on soil health, the grasses we sow and maintain offer improved root depth and density. Those grasses work very effectively to bind the soil and the resulting turfgrass root system is able to absorb rainfall better than most other ground cover plantings. Plant turfgrass, maintain it properly and see runoff and suspended soil particles reduced to manageable levels.

Cooling Effect
Last, put certainly not least, all of us who contend with hot and humid summers should appreciate anything that mitigates our discomfort. The overall temperature of urban area may be as much as 10-12 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than nearby rural areas. Turf serves as a natural air-conditioner because it's simply cooler that other surfaces. On a typical mid-summer afternoon natural grass areas will be considerably cooler than asphalt and cooler yet when compared to synthetic sports turf.

"The front lawns on a block of eight average homes have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning!" - Maryland Turfgrass Survey, 1996 - An Economic Value Study.

We measure our air conditioning systems by the tons of cooling effect or the unit of measure used to describe the heat-extraction capacity of air conditioning equipment. On average a residential lawn has the cooling effect of up to 9 tons of air conditioning. So absent turfgrass our urban/suburban environment would be much warmer and off-setting that additional heat would certainly result in higher electric bills. They also improve curb appeal and help homes sell for higher values.

Mental Health
Psychologists continue to study interaction with plants and nature, in relation to blood pressure and heart rate. Views of open green space promote quicker recovery from experimentally induced stress when compared to busy mall scenes. Attention to roadside nature can also reduce commuter stress.

"Two surveys of parents of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder have shown that performing activities in green settings can reduce the symptoms of AD/HD." Faber Taylor, Al, Kuo, F.E. & Sullivan, W.C. (2001). "Coping with ADD: The Suprising Connection to Green Play Settings"

But the planting is only part of the story. Our customers, especially those serviced by the LCO community, must be educated to practice good cultural practices. In fact, adopting the following practices will go a long way to insuring healthy turf and our realizing the positives outlined above. So let's all encourage our customers and neighbors alike to take special care of their turf:

1.Mow the lawn high to reduce stress; compaction and help the plant develop deep roots. Keep turf type tall fescue at a height of 3-1/2" and higher yet when temperatures exceed 85 degrees over consecutive summer days.

2.Keep mower blades sharp and sharpen them multiple times during the cutting season. Dull blades result in jagged edges on each bland which in turn promotes disease.

3.Leave clippings on the lawn allowing them to contribute up to 30% of the nitrogen needed by the plant. Proper mowing frequency and mower height and the issue of thatch will not be a concern in turf type tall fescue turf.

4.Water less frequently each week but for longer periods and never after 10:00 AM. Average an inch per week for established lawns.

I encourage you to "share" or forward this article to your friends and neighbors. It's high time we help the communities to more fully appreciate all we do to improve their quality of life. You all deserve some credit for all the positives coming from turfgrass.

AT-A-BOY