The Sustainable Landscape: Does Turf Fit In?

Linda Kiscellus

Americans love their lawns and our customers don't hesitate to tell us so. Turf provides a space for play and recreational needs. And properly cared for, turf stabilizes soil from water and wind erosion, and infiltrates water from surrounding impervious surfaces with little run-off

Unfortunately, turf is often the poster child for poor landscape practices. According to the EPA, there are startling statistics that support this image:

• Mowers use 580 million gallons of gas per year, emitting dangerous VOCs linked to global warming and human health issues.
• Over 67 millions pounds of pesticides are applied to lawns annually; half who apply them don't read the label.
• Over 100,000 Americans get sick each year from pesticides; almost 70 million birds are killed; and essential pollinator populations are plummeting due in part to pesticide use.

These statistics don't attack the turf, but what we put on it and how we traditionally care for it with synthetic fertilizers that deplete organic matter and microorganisms. This only leads to a spiral of fertilizers and pesticides to maintain a green, clean lawn. What started as 'cheap' comes with increasing costs for the customer and for you.

Natural turf care is knowledge-based and focuses on soil improvement, which supports increased tilth and porosity and greater root mass and depth. Water percolation improves and run-off is reduced. Without synthetic nitrogen, turf grows at a slower rate requiring less mowing. Deeper roots tolerate periods of drought, reducing water requirements. Balanced soils support balanced growth of turf grass and require less supplemental feeding.

How much turf is also a useful question in sustainable lawn care. If it fits the user's needs, it makes sense to convert some portions of expansive turf to naturalized areas of plants that support a healthy eco-system. But often, users need the presence of lawn to meet their requirements so natural turf care is even more critical.

Beyond natural turf care, other advances are occurring to fit the need for large turf areas. For example, Mark Lurvey of Lurvey Turf Nursery is working with Summit Seed to develop a combination clover-turfgrass blend for the Midwest. Like all legumes, the micro-clover takes nitrogen from the atmosphere, enabling turf roots to use it for growth. It requires less water and synthetic nitrogen and still remains green and lush. From a distance of 6 feet, it looks like ordinary grass.. Lurvey expects to have a limited supply available in 2011. For more information on micro-clover sod, contact Lurvey Turf Nursery at 1-800-648-9245; Mark Lurvey at lurveyma@idcnet.com; or www.lurveys.com.

Linda Kiscellus is a MELA Board Member and a Regional Supplier Manager for Ball Horticultural Inc.

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