American Dream
UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre
Co.) The American dream of
owning land has led to a boom in
the turfgrass industry, said a Penn
State researcher.
“Everybody wants a piece of
the country before it’s gone,” siad
Dr. Thomas Watschke, professor
of turfgrass science. “As more
farmland is lost to development,
and urban sprawl continues to
creep across the country, more and
more acres are created that need to
be landscaped.
“Unlike other agribusinesses
which have suffered during the
recession, the turfgrass industry
has continued to thrive and even
grow,” said Watschke. “Among
Pennsylvania agricultural enter
prises, turf is second only to ani
mal products in terms of economic
value.”
Watschke says it’s difficult to
place a monetary value upon an
industry that has only sod as a
cash crop. But in 1989, Pennsyl
vanians spent $1.46 billion to
maintain close to 2 million acres
of turf, according to a survey con-
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ducted by the Pennsylvania Turf
grass Council and the state
Department of Agriculture.
The survey broke down the tot
al turfgrass area in the state and
determined maintenance expenses
for industry segments such as
homes, golf courses, and road
sides. It showed turfgrass mainte
nance and production was a
diverse industry and that increased
property development has played
a key role in this success.
Home lawns accounted for 75
percent of total turf acreage and 76
percent of maintenance expenses.
“Homeowners spend an annual
average of $333 to maintain their
lawns,” said Watschke.
The majority of that amount
pays for labor. Homeownership
may be the American dream, but it
also has become a challenge for
adults who find themselves work
ing longer hours to meet their
mortgage payments.
“Dual-career couples don’t
have much time to work around
the house,” Watschke said. “Often
they turn to lawn service compa-
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Leads To Industry*s Success
nies to help them out”
Homeowners surveyed said that
weeds constitute the biggest turf
management problem, followed
by poor soil and shade.
“It’s fairly common for people
to try to take care of a lawn prob
lem on their own,” said Watschke.
“But then frustration sets in when
they don’t get proper results; and
they turn to professional help.
Some homeowners don’t have the
equipment, such as sprayers and
spreaders, needed to tackle the
problems.”
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Lancaster Farming,, Saturday, August 15,1992-E37
Maintenance of turf along mun
icipal and state roadsides cost
Pennsylvania residents close to $7
million in 1989. “Turf is used
along roadsides for aesthetic rea
sons, but also for stabilization and
erosion control,” said Watschke.
“If the grass wasn’t there, the
roads would slip into the ditch
after a few hard rains.”
New and existing schools,
parks, golf courses, airports, and
cemeteries also have large turf
acreage that needs to be main
tained. This acreage, will keep
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expanding as the population
increases, said Watschke.
“Money spent on lawn care is
well invested,” he said. “Turf
increases real estate value and
helps ensure safety of roadsides
and recreational facilities.
“All those acres of green also
play a crucial role in the environ
ment,” he said. “Turfgrass traps
air pollutants and has a cooling
effect in summer. It prevents
stormwater runoff and protects
water entering underground
aquifers.”
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