It is interesting to note the myriad of media “lawn professionals” educating us about lawns.
Few of the comments are accurate or have a scientific base. Lawns are of a tremendous benefit in our West Coast climate. Lawns cool your environment, estimated up to 10 tons of AC per city lot. This lawn will also supply enough oxygen for a family of four.
Grass traps dust and noise as well as acts as a water reservoir, purifying and slowly releasing water back into the aquifer. Rainwater on a dormant grass area will not allow water to soak in, therefore during a summer storm event rain water will be lost into the storm sewer.
Your lawn prevents significant erosion, producing more than 400 to 600 pounds of organic matter per average city lot.
Grass uses much less water than trees or shrubs. Yes, grass can go dormant, but if the lawn is still being trampled on, damage can be done to the “crown” or growing point of the grass.
Grass such as turf-type tall fescue has a deeper crown or growth area, which allows it to survive much better than most local commonly sold lawn seed at large box stores.
Watering lawns is often stated to be a misuse of water. Lawns need no more than one soaking per week in order to remain active and also to “firescape” your home. Dry lawns and landscaping contain much fuel for a potential fire.
In Metro Vancouver, it is interesting to note that artificial plastic fields that our kids play on are often as much as 50 degrees hotter than the ambient air temperature yet are still allowed to be irrigated during the Stage 3 water restrictions.
During the recent Women’s World Cup games soccer games in Edmonton, field temperatures reached 55 C degrees with the air temperature at 25 C degrees.
Comments heard from soccer players at the games included “It’s like walking on hot coals with your skin ripping and slowly cracking, constantly.”
“I have plenty of blisters on my toes,” commented Alex Morgan, star on the U.S. soccer team.
An intelligent look at water usage is paramount, not only during drought conditions.
Often public perception does not reflect the actual truth of science.
David Wall is the president of Premier Pacific Seeds Ltd.
