Intro to Turfgrass

Turfgrass plays an essential role in the success, comfort, health, and well-being of society. The many benefits of turfgrass are well documented with regard to capturing rainfall, reducing stormflow and erosion, protecting watersheds, pollutants, and more! All this while providing outdoor space to enjoy which in turn contributes to positive mental and physical health.

Research shows that depending on the location, a typical 5,000 square foot lawn provides enough oxygen each day to support 15-35 people. Environmental benefits go on to include other facts like research showing that carbon sequestration by lawns in the United States alone sequester between12.4 and 90 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. That is equivalent to the annual emissions of between 2.5 million and 18 million passenger cars. In addition, turf lawns can be up to 60 degrees F cooler than surrounding hardscapes in the heat of summer.

Turfgrass production in Florida is a major contributor to the state’s economy and represents a large share of our state’s agricultural industry. Florida is one of the largest producers of turfgrass in the nation with economic contributions through direct, indirect, and induced impacts totaling billions of dollars being poured into the state economy on an annual basis.

Florida  turfgrass farmers are some of the most conservation minded stewards of the land to be found. Through prudent farm management practices, ongoing research, and embracing new technologies, Florida turfgrass farmers are some of the most productive and environmentally friendly in the world.