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Sod Businesses Wilt Under New Water Rules

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 31, 2009

TAMPA - Business prospects are in danger of drying up for local sod farmers and the companies that purchase, deliver and install the turf.

New watering restrictions in effect Friday for the city of Tampa allow residents to hand water new sod every day for 30 days after installation. After that, it's up to the homeowner and his or her hose to keep the lawn alive – between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. once a week, depending on the address.

On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Commission will review and possibly revise restrictions for unincorporated parts of the county - all areas except incorporated Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.

Robert Bruner, owner of Dirt Cheap Sod in Tampa, said once-a-week hand watering likely will dry the life out of lawns – and his livelihood.

The day after the new rule for Tampa was announced, he said, he lost an order for sod installation.

"This guy in Tampa Palms called me and said to hold up," Bruner said. "He can't stand there and hand water 4,000 square feet of grass."

Manny Herrera, owner of Campo Sod in Tampa, said increasingly stringent watering restrictions are making it impossible for his industry to survive the recession. He's doing 85 percent fewer sod installations than he was three years ago, and he doesn't blame the dry season.

"Every year, it's the same thing, ain't nothing new about it," Herrera said. "I don't think the rain is the problem, it's the growth. The people running this city only react to what's happening. They don't prepare for what's coming."

The new rules, he said, could herald the demise of his 30-year-old business.

"This will wipe out the last 15 percent of my business that I have left," he said. "If you work and you get home at 5:30, are you gonna stand there with a hose for three hours?"

The most popular turf here is Floratam St. Augustine, billed as the most drought-tolerant of the St. Augustine grasses and renowned for its lush, green potential and resistance to chinch bugs, weeds and fire ants. It costs up to $140 a pallet, enough to cover 400 square feet.

Experts say most types of sod need an inch of water - preferably twice a week.

Bruner said even diligent homeowners determined to hand-water their lawns throughout the drought may find it difficult to achieve the even, consistent coverage of a sprinkler system.

"It's not that easy, and let's face it, it's too time consuming," he said.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523.

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