Longmont, CO – – – Turf often gets a bad rap. Because people do not really understand the water requirements of their lawns, or newly established sod, it is often mischaracterized as a water guzzler. However, grass doesn’t waste water, people do.
Science tells us that turf actually benefits the environment. It cools and cleans the atmosphere by reflecting the sun’s heat and absorbing noises, carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants. It releases valuable oxygen and moisture into the air we breathe. As it grows, sod silently contributes to a healthier environment. Rocky Mountain Sod Growers (RMSG) President Shane Markham notes, “110 square feet of turfgrass provides enough oxygen for two people for an entire day. A lawn absorbs carbon dioxide & releases oxygen keeping the air clean & fresh around your home.”
The average front lawn has the cooling effect of 8.5 tons of air conditioning. A turfgrass lawn will be 15 degrees cooler than bare soil and 30 degrees cooler than pavement or rock. Lawn areas in the United States store up to 37 billion tons of carbon. Lawns also filter and muffle noise.
While grass provides many environmental benefits, many may not realize how important a well- maintained lawn is to their home and/or property’s value. Landscape traditionally adds 15% to 20% to your home’s value. For most people, this includes a healthy lawn. While other alternatives exist, consumers choose grass year after year. Nothing beats the price, ease and benefits of grass. This advantage ranges from 5.5 percent to 12.7 percent depending on the type of landscaping and the home’s original value.
“In order to conserve water, it may be necessary to learn how much your grass actually needs. Different types of grass require different amounts of water. Done correctly, most people find that they can save water, enhance the environment and increase the value of their property, residential or commercial,” notes Markham.