One of Heuver’s solutions is the Sedum Turf product, a new environmental ground cover. Sedum Turf is composed of a broad selection of sedum varieties grown outdoors at the Strathmore farm in a soil base on a biodegradable, coconut fiber erosion mat and plastic so that it is as easy to install as turfgrass sod.
Another solution sprang from a problem brought to Eagle Lake by a landscape architect working on a National Parks project that allowed no introduced vegetative species. He was struggling to get the specified plants to establish. Since they were already growing the Sedum Turf, Heuver developed a similar product growing the specified native grasses on a coconut-based erosion control mat. Named NaturesTurf, it’s one of the product offerings that has encouraged the design community to view Eagle Lake as their solution-based partner.
Tis past year, Eagle Lake broadened their ability to produce small bagged products. Gill says, “We now produce a sand-bag-size, biodegradable jute bag filled with custom engineered soil and a specific grass seed that can produce the desired vegetation in a high erosion area. As we branch into new areas, we’re pulling from things we’re already doing well, such as selling soil and seed, and combining it with our knowledge of how to germinate grass. It’s working with our knowledge base, our equipment and infrastructure, and our personnel resources.”
All 1,200 acres at Strathmore are devoted to production of assorted grasses. Approximately two-thirds is Eagle Lake’s Premium Dream Kentucky Bluegrass sod, a blend of four top varieties maintained at regular cut of 1.5 to 2 inches and fairway cut of .75 inch. Much of the remaining third is Eagle Lake’s Freedom Fescue, a drought tolerant, low-input, minimal maintenance blend of four improved fine fescues. Tey’ve added USGA sand-based bentgrass and have just started a sand-based sports turf product. In addition, they grow the other specialty grasses, including the different native grass mixes, and the Sedum Turf. Combined, the turf makes up approximately 25 percent of the business.
TPI Turf News January/February 2019 27
Te landscape supply division has evolved to approximately 45 percent of the business. Tat includes the aggregates, pavers, lumber, lighting, landscape rock, planters, turfgrass seed, fertilizers, snow and ice products—basically everything except irrigation products and nursery stock. While encouraging residential and commercial DIY property owners, Eagle Lake’s target customer, and 90 percent of their business, is the landscape and construction professional. From the beginning, they’ve done no design or installation to avoid competing against their customers.
Heuver says, “Each area of concentration adds value to the others and sales of one product lead to sales of other related items. It all works together.”
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