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Tampa Rules Jeopardize Sod Industry

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By BETSY MCGILL Special to the Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2008

It's never been more important for Floridians who share in the benefits and beauty of our green spaces to care for them wisely.

When it comes to lawns, sod growers are always working to help our customers understand how to select the right grass for their landscapes and maintain it properly. That includes following the rules about watering.

But Tampa officials looking for ideas to address water supply issues in the city have enacted new restrictions on lawns that go too far and will have serious unintended consequences.
Water authorities are essentially banning Tampa homeowners from planting new sod until June 2009, a move that could do more harm than good for both the environment and the economy.

A healthy lawn provides environmental benefits year-round. Grass helps reduce carbon emissions, cool the air, save on energy costs, control erosion and improve water quality.

To maintain that healthy lawn, periodic sod replacement may be necessary.

The time frame for the restriction couldn't be worse, since it eliminates the optimal growing time of the cooler spring months when turf can take root more quickly with the least amount of water.

By delaying new plantings, grass could take longer to establish and require more water. And deferring renovation or replacement now can result in bigger problems requiring more fertilizers or other costly maintenance later.

The dire economic impacts also can't be ignored.

Jobs and long-time businesses would be jeopardized, triggering a chain reaction impacting sod growers, agriculture suppliers, turf installers, lawn maintenance companies and their employees.

In the current economic downtown, some businesses wouldn't make it through spring.

Even homeowners trying to sell in a down market would be restricted from creating a landscape that invites buyers.

For the environment and the economy, we can't afford a ban on turfgrass even on a regional basis.

The more responsible move: Water authorities should enforce existing limits on irrigation and measure the effectiveness before enacting new rules, especially measures that could have other consequences while not achieving significant water savings.

We support water conservation and welcome the opportunity to work with the Tampa Water Department and Southwest Florida Water Management District to revisit this idea and create a solution that is sustainable for everyone.

The writer is executive director of the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative. The writer is executive director of the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative.

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