ASSOCIATION UPDATES


Turfgrass Growers Association Takes a Proactive Approach to Heat Challenges


On July 18, 2022, the Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) issued a new release titled, “Brown lawns are cool,” with the opening line, “Turf experts urge homeowners to hold back on watering established lawns.”


Tat news release follows. Ahead of, what is predicted to be, one of the hottest summers ever recorded here in the UK, turf experts are advising homeowners to avoid watering established lawns during the upcoming heatwave. Te Turfgrass Growers Association, whose members produce more than 70 percent of the turf grown in the British Isles, say that during hot weather, the watering of established lawns is, in most situations, wasteful and unnecessary.


“Our message to homeowners is not to worry if your lawn goes brown during the summer,” says Chief Executive Stacie Rae. “Going brown is the natural survival mechanism of grass. When water is in short supply grass responds by shutting down. Te brown color shows that it has stopped growing until more favorable conditions return. Grass is remarkably resilient, and so long as you follow a few basic rules, most lawns will recover completely when the rain finally arrives.”


Top Tips:


• Increase your mowing height to 35-40 mm (1.378- 1.575 in.) – this creates deeper roots and more shade and shelter from higher temperatures


• Try not to concentrate wear in one place – move barbeques and toys like slides around


• No need to feed as grass will not be growing during hot, dry weather


• Avoid blanket weedkillers as these may damage the grass – use a spot weedkiller if necessary


• Keep mower blades sharp as blunt blades bruise the grass leaf and it loses more water


• Apply a light dressing of compost to help keep moisture in the soil and protect the grass from higher temperatures


• Scarify your lawn once a year to remove matted and dead growth – if allowed to build up this acts as a barrier to rainfall


Tips for looking after established and newly-laid lawns during the summer are available at www.turfgrass.co.uk and on Twitter @TGATurfandWater.


58 TPI Turf News September/October 2022


Turfgrass Growers Thanks Water Companies for Hose Pipe Ban Exemptions on New-Laid Turfgrass


Tat title headed a news release issued August 5, 2022. Tat news release follows. Te Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA), which represents turfgrass growers nationally, is pleased to see that water companies are including watering of newly laid turfgrass within their hose pipe ban exemption.


Te current exemption allows for watering of newly laid turfgrass for up to 28 days after installation.


Freshly laid turfgrass needs water during establishment and without an exemption communities and landscape contractors would suffer hardship, as well as the turfgrass growers themselves. “In addition to that,” says Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, “it would be perverse in the extreme to effectively curtail the planting of something which—apart from preventing soil erosion, preventing water run-off, and locking up CO2


both in private gardens and in the public realm.”


TGA Spokesperson Stacie Rae is also keen to stress that turfgrass growers recognize that they have a part to play in helping gardeners and landscapers get through the current situation. “Short term, our members are preparing advice for both the amateur gardener and the landscape professional on how they can establish new-laid turf with the minimum of water usage. Tis includes using recycled water and observing timings of watering.”


Tis news release again concluded with Rae’s contact information, encouraging media personnel to contact her for more information.


—is of positive benefit to individuals and communities


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