Author Archives: Stonegate Turf & Hay

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Why Choose Sod?

LAWNS & OUR ENVIRONMENT

Turf grass is earth smart. Scientists throughout the world are increasingly documenting the significant role of turf, particularly in urban/suburban settings where the removal of turf and other vegetation has amplified problems such as the “urban heat effect.”

In the 1990 Farm Bill, the U.S. Congress noted:

Tree plantings and ground cover, such as low growing dense perennial turf grass sod in urban areas and communities, can aid in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the heat island effect and reducing energy consumption, thus contributing to reduce global warming trends.

BENEFITS

According to the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, a thick, healthy lawn has several environmental benefits including:

OXYGEN

625 square feet of lawn provides enough oxygen for one person for an entire day.

TEMPERATURE

On a block of eight average houses, front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning.

POLLUTION

Turf absorbs gaseous pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, converting them to oxygen.

DUST AND DIRT

Turf traps an estimated 12 million tons of dust and dirt released annually into the atmosphere.

FIRE RETARDATION

A buffer zone of grass around buildings helps retard the spread of fire.

WATER QUALITY

Turf prevents soil erosion, filters contaminants from rainwater and reduces runoff.

 

VALUE, CURB APPEAL & PERSONAL ENJOYMENT

Not only is sod good for the environment, it will add value and improve the curb appeal of your property. The increased attention your property gets after a makeover will move a house quicker if you’re in the market to sell. Or, if you are not selling, the new look will make you feel good to just sit and enjoy it.


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kids on grass

Put Something Beautiful In Your Yard…Your Family!

Summer is here! Kids are out of school. Are they begging to play outside…or will they decide not to because they don’t have anything nice to play on?

If you have real grass for them to play on, the answer is yes! But if you have Xeriscape, imitation grass, or just plain dirt for a play surface, then expect to raise “couch potatoes” who want to stay inside and play video games for the entire summer.

It’s your choice. Put something beautiful in your yard! Your family…and give them REAL grass to play on. Grass is the safest natural play surface on earth!

Call us today to get started, so your kids will stay active over the summer!

ORDER TODAY!


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Considering Artificial Grass?

Before you invest your hard-earned money in artificial turf, here are a few reasons you might think twice about it!

1. It’s expensive!

About 10-30 times more than live turf grass, depending on the style of artificial turf you choose.

2. It’s extremely hot during the summer months and can easily be as hot as asphalt.

Your children or pets will not be able to play on it until it is cooled down. To do that, you will have to soak it with many gallons of cold water. WHAT? Isn’t that why you considered it in the first place? To “save on water”, but now you have to soak it WITH water just to “enjoy” using it? Now that doesn’t make much sense…does it?

3. It’s difficult to keep clean.

The easiest way requires large amounts of water to wash away the dirt. That water will run straight into the storm drains and NOT back into the aquifer, opposite the water you would use on live turf. Or you can choose to vacuum it, but since it’s such a huge investment, you’ll want to make sure you maintain it properly by having it professionally cleaned.

4. You trade one for another. Maybe you’ll save a little on your water bill, but not as much as you can save on your electric bill by having LIVE turf in areas surrounding your home or office.

The lawn area (approx. 1000 sq.ft. per home) in a block of eight average homes has the cooling effect of about 70 tons of refrigerated air-conditioning. One ton of refrigerated air-conditioning will cool approximately 400 sq.ft. of interior space. The average home requires about 3-4 ton of cooling capacity to perform its function. Artificial turf will not cool your homes exterior or help with your electric bill in any way.

5. Artificial turf isn’t environmentally friendly as you think.

REAL turf absorbs all types of airborne pollutants, such as soot, dust and carbon dioxide, as well as noise. Artificial turf does not.

 

IMPORTANT ARTIFICIAL TURF ARTICLES

 

Please read the articles below, prior to purchasing and installing artificial turf:

Fake grass has a drawback: It gets too hot, study says

The Las Vegas Sun

(Real) Turfgrass to replace artificial turf at Toronto’s BMO Field

Athletic Turf News

TFC (Toronto’s BMO Field) could be on (real) grass by start of next season
The Toronto Star

Artificial Turf: Does it Increase the Risk of Sports Injuries?
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY

At City’s Synthetic Fields, High Lead Levels Fuel Debate
The New York Times

Synthetic Turf Playing Fields Present Unique Dangers
University of Missouri

Artificial Turf Cleaning Tips
Yep, you really DO have to clean it!

Reporter questions plan to irrigate synthetic fields
Athletic Turf News


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In This Summer Heat, What Is The Best Time to Water?

Category : Knowledge , Turf Care

During these hot summer days, we often get questions regarding the best time to water.  It’s best to irrigate between 6am and 8am, as this allows for minimal evaporation and maximum absorption.

We do not recommend watering during the middle of the night, as the longer water stays on the turf and does not absorb, the greater the risk for disease.  Nor do we recommend watering during the heat of the day, late afternoon or early evening, since the heat will cause the water to evaporate quickly rather than absorbing into the soil.

As always, feel free to call us with any questions!


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Troubleshooting Sod Issues

Below you will find some of the more common issues with turf grass care. Please feel free to contact us, if you have further questions.

If DRY SPOTS appear in the lawn during the afternoon, the irrigation time should be increased. If dry spots persist, an irrigation uniformity problem is likely, and an additional sprinkler head may be required.

BROWN LAWN areas are most commonly caused by one of three types of problems: Improper watering, burn, or disease. Check for watering and burn problems first before treating for disease.

BROWN SPOTS caused by a burn will result from pet urine, over-fertilization, gasoline spills, etc. Burn spots are distinguished from other types of damage by their “total kill” straw-yellow color. If a burned area is thoroughly flushed with water in the early stage of damage some recovery may occur. Otherwise reseeding or sodding may be necessary. However, with bluegrass, if you are patient, the area will fill itself in. It will just take some time. With fescue, overseeding or re-sodding will be necessary, as it will NOT fill itself in.

To check for LACK OF WATER use a screwdriver or knife to probe the brown areas of your lawn as well as the healthy green areas. If the brown area is more difficult to penetrate then a lack of water is likely. This is usually the result of poor sprinkler spacing or sprinkler malfunction. Saturate the area with a hose as soon as possible and continue to provide supplemental water until the sprinklers are repaired.

EXCESS WATER can cause turf to die by suffocating the plants roots or rotting its crown. This generally occurs in low spots or shady areas. Check for muddy soil, algae crusts, or slimy rotting grass. To correct problems in the shade, reduce irrigation time to that area or replace the sprinklers with lower volume heads. Low spots must either be raised or set up to drain. A French drain might need to be installed, which can be done by local landscape contractor.

DISEASES are almost always related to heat and moisture. However, poor irrigation practices can also promote disease development. The longer moisture stays in the turf foliage the greater the disease risk. Therefore, do not water at night, (between 6 pm and 4 am) since the lawn will stay wet until morning. It is best to irrigate between 6 am and 8 am. Early morning watering reduces evaporation.


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