Parks and Rec Business' February 2010 Edition article on EMPIRE Turf by Steve Yeskulsky.
The article details the difference between drought tolerance and drought resistance and how it relates to different grass varieties. EMPIRE's drought tolerance is highlighted in the article along with other benefits of using EMPIRE sod. It also details some common stresses for the EMPIRE zoysia grass and some things to do to keep your lawn looking healthy. Click the magazine cover to download the article. The article has been reprinted with permission.
Friday, October 16, 2009
EMPIRE Turf Zoysia- Fall Preparations
Here are some basic tips to help get your EMPIRE Zoysia lawn ready for fall and the colder winter months.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Natural Grass Beats Synthetic in NFL Player Survey
Yearly statistics show that an overwhelming majority of players in the National Football League prefer natural grass. The number remains constant year after year, despite advances in artificial turf technology. The stats are based on natural grass versus the newest generation variety of synthetic turf that uses infill.
In a 2008 survey of 1,565 active players from all 32 teams in the league, 71.7% of players said they prefer to play on natural grass compared to 15% who prefer artificial infilled turf. 11% indicated they had no preference. These athletes have played on all varieties of natural and artificial grass at facilities throughout the league and consistently advocate their preference for the real thing.
Some other key statistics from the survey:
• Which surface is more likely to contribute to injury? o 84.8% of respondents said artificial infilled turf.
• Which surface is more likely to cause more soreness and fatigue? o 91% of respondents said infilled artificial turf.
• Which surface is more likely to shorten career? o 92.6% of the respondents said infilled artificial turf.
• Which surface is more likely to impact quality of life after playing days are over? o 61.6% of the respondents said infilled artificial turf.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Southern Living's "Picture a Greener Lawn"
Southern Living April 2009 Edition article on many of Sod Solutions' grass varieties by Rebecca Bull Reed. Click the link to download the article. The article has been reprinted with permission.
EMPIRE Turf Featured on "Better Lawns and Gardens"
President of SMR Farms, Mac Carraway talks about the benefits of EMPIRE Turf on Tom MacCubbin's "Better Lawns and Gardens" radio program. For info or advertising information on "Better Lawns and Gardens", contact 1.407.916.8397 or visit www.betterlawns.com.
Friday, April 17, 2009
EMPIRE on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
In the name of a great cause, drought-tough EMPIRE Turf made its prime-time television debut in April on the ABC television network. The grass was given to a family in need as part of a two-hour episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The project took place last February in Tallahassee, Florida. Arcadia, Florida based Bethel Farms selected EMPIRE Turf for the "extreme" donation because, like the design of the new home, EMPIRE will save the selected family time and money. Tobey Wagner, president of Sod Solutions was happy to see EMPIRE given for a meaningful cause. "We were pleased when we heard they were going to donate EMPIRE," remarked Wagner, whose company holds the patent for the grass. "EMPIRE is a grass that is great for the Florida climate. It's great at repairing itself, which will come in handy with a family that size. It handles wear and tear. I don't think they could have picked a better grass for the project and we are proud to know its going to be used by such a deserving family."
The EMPIRE zoysia grass was delivered on day five of the building project and was installed the same day. EMPIRE, which has become the proven zoysia grass for Florida, also meets the Florida Green Building Coalition's standards for "green-home" certification. This designation fits in perfectly with the energy-saving design of ABC's other home makeover projects. It should provide the Kadzis family many years of an aesthetically pleasing lawn.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
EMPIRE Turf on ABC's Good Morning America
EMPIRE Turf was recently featured on ABC's Good Morning America television program in a segment about drought-fighting lawns. To view the segment, click the link below.
Homebuilders across the state of Florida now have even more incentive to "think green." EMPIRE TurfTM, Florida's first greatly improved zoysiagrass, meets the Florida Green Building Coalition "Green Building" standards. This allows Florida builders seeking "Green Home Certification" to specify EMPIRE for the yard and receive certifying credits (Category Two: Water / Drought Tolerant Turf [2 points]). EMPIRE was designated because of its ability to reduce landscape water usage, its inherent pest resistance and its requirements for minimal fertilizer.
John Kiefer of E3 Building Sciences, a member of the coalition, is a strong proponent of EMPIRE's benefits. "Since its introduction to the market eight years ago, EMPIRE Turf has proven itself to be drought tolerant and pest resistant," said Kiefer. "As a green and EnergyStar rater, I have inspected thousands of homes and I believe that EMPIRE is the logical choice for any ‘green' project."
"As a green and EnergyStar rater, I have inspected thousands of homes and I believe that EMPIRE is the logical choice for any ‘green' project." - John Kiefer, E3 Building Sciences
EMPIRE Turf was developed specifically for the unique southeastern environment. It is the only zoysiagrass to meet the F.G.B.C. "Green Building" standards that has a proven track record in the state of Florida. There are over 20,000 Florida homes already using EMPIRE with thousands more expected while water conservation remains a top priority in the Sunshine State. That's why the Green Builder Vision House Orlando 2008, a model of natural resource preservation, specified EMPIRE Turf for its lawn.
EMPIRE Turf is a medium-bladed, dark green zoysiagrass that features excellent wear tolerance, requires less mowing and chemical applications and is chinch bug resistant. More importantly, EMPIRE Turf allows the water supply to be shut off in severe periods of drought without the danger of permanently harming the lawn.
EMPIRE's water-saving qualities are being backed up by independent research. In a recent study done by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), EMPIRE Turf was put into a 60 day drought simulator with other turf grasses and was rated the top zoysiagrass for drought recovery.
While research stands behind EMPIRE's performance, often times the best test is real-world applications. EMPIRE Turf has been specified in major developments across the state of Florida for its practical advantages. The Villages, Ginn Reunion Resort and Lakewood Ranch chose to go with EMPIRE in an effort to stay on the forefront of environmentally friendly landscaping. With Florida leading the way, EMPIRE Turf is steadily becoming the most viable option for drought-stricken areas of the country.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Conserving water starts in the front yard.
Conserving water starts in the front yard.
The Green Builder VISION House Orlando 2008, built as a model of natural resource preservation, installed drought-tolerant EMPIRE Turf™ throughout the property. EMPIRE was selected because of its ability to reduce landscape water usage.
“Water conservation has become priority number one in Florida and really the entire Southeastern United States,” said Keith Truenow, owner of Lake Jem Farms in Mt. Dora, Florida. “VISION House needed a turf variety that was environmentally friendly; a grass that could handle itself in drought conditions. It needed to look good and have all the other properties a homeowner wants, like less mowing and less overall maintenance. EMPIRE Turf was a perfect fit.”
EMPIRE Turf is a medium-bladed, dark-green zoysiagrass with a much lower water consumption rate than Florida’s common St. Augustinegrass. It features excellent wear tolerance, requires less mowing and chemical applications and is chinch bug resistant. More importantly, EMPIRE Turf allows the water supply to be shut off in severe periods of drought without the danger of permanently harming the lawn.
These traits made EMPIRE Turf a perfect companion for the Orlando VISION House. The purpose of the house is to demonstrate green building design, inside and out. From natural products and materials to renewable resources, the house is a model of environmental awareness following the National Association of Home Builders’ Green Building ideals.
EMPIRE’s water-saving qualities are being backed up by independent research. In a resent study done by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), EMPIRE Turf was put into a 60 day drought simulator with other turfgrasses and was rated the top zoysiagrass for drought recovery.
While research stands behind EMPIRE’s performance, often times the best test is real-world applications. EMPIRE Turf has been specified in major developments across the state of Florida for its practical advantages. The Villages and Ginn Reunion Resort chose to go with EMPIRE in an effort to stay on the forefront on environmentally friendly landscaping.
Sod Solutions, Inc., the developer of EMPIRE Turf, is an international turfgrass development company incorporated in the early 90s. The company’s primary research facility and headquarters is located near Charleston, S.C. Sod Solutions TM has developed and released Palmetto St. Augustine®, EMPIRE Turf TM,Celebration BermudagrassTM, Sapphire St. AugustineTM and Bella BluegrassTM. For more information, visit www.sodsolutions.com or call 843.849.1288.
Monday, April 28, 2008
FSGC Convenes in Ft. Pierce for Annual Field Day
On an emerald green field of Sapphire St. Augustine, members of the Florida Sod Growers Cooperative gathered at the end of April for the annual FSGC Field Day. This years gathering took place at Bethel Farms Ft. Pierce property. Representatives rolled in (or in one case, flew in) from across the state for 2008's get-together.
From reel mowers and chemical distributors to turf rollers and harvesters, the Field Day showcased turf industry equipment from around the world. Demonstrations gave even better insight into the latest technology the industry has to offer. The day under the South Florida sun was not only informative, but as usual, the event was a great chance for the movers and shakers in the Florida turf business to talk face to face about the issues facing the industry today.
The big news of the day was the unveiling of the logo for the new St. Augustine, CaptivaTM. Captiva is resistant to chinch bugs and to the sod web worm. The release of the grass itself is expected in the near future.
An exceptional barbeque lunch wrapped up the afternoon and brought the field day to a close. Congratulations on another successful exposition in 2008. Special thanks to Bethel Farms and to the board of the FSGC for all of their hard work and dedication.
In a 2008 survey of 1,565 active players from all 32 teams in the league, 71.7% of players said they prefer to play on natural grass compared to 15% who prefer artificial infilled turf. 11% indicated they had no preference. These athletes have played on all varieties of natural and artificial grass at facilities throughout the league and consistently advocate their preference for the real thing.
Homebuilders across the state of Florida now have even more incentive to "think green." EMPIRE TurfTM, Florida's first greatly improved zoysiagrass, meets the Florida Green Building Coalition "Green Building" standards. This allows Florida builders seeking "Green Home Certification" to specify EMPIRE for the yard and receive certifying credits (Category Two: Water / Drought Tolerant Turf [2 points]). EMPIRE was designated because of its ability to reduce landscape water usage, its inherent pest resistance and its requirements for minimal fertilizer. 
“Water conservation has become priority number one in Florida and really the entire Southeastern United States,” said Keith Truenow, owner of Lake Jem Farms in Mt. Dora, Florida. “VISION House needed a turf variety that was environmentally friendly; a grass that could handle itself in drought conditions. It needed to look good and have all the other properties a homeowner wants, like less mowing and less overall maintenance. EMPIRE Turf was a perfect fit.”