Supers:
Gainesville, FL
John Roscow-Gardener
Linda Kubitz Reporting
Dr. Laurie Trenholm-UF Turfgrass Specialist
TRT: 1:30
TAG: THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF SEASHORE PASPALUM IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM COMMON GRASSES LIKE ST. AUGUSTINE OR BAHIA. IT REQUIRES A LOWER MOWING HEIGHT OF ABOUT ONE AND A HALF TO 2 INCHES FOR HOME LAWNS..
NATURAL GRASS IS A POPULAR CHOICE FOR FOOTBALL FIELDS, GOLF COURSES, AND HOME LAWNS BUT MAINTAINING IT, HAS NEVER BEEN EASY. JUST ASK JOHN ROSCOW...A HOMEOWNER WHO LOVES BEATIFYING HIS LAWN BUT HATES THE HARD WORK.
ROSCOW: "I have to mow twice a week, fertilize, weed, do edging, and of course water nearly every week. It's a huge job and it takes a lot of my time." (:10)
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR LAWN MAY BE GETTING EASIER THANKS TO A NEW TURFGRASS IDEAL FOR ATHLETIC FIELDS AND HOMES ALIKE. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCHERS SAY THE TOUGHER TURF CALLED SEASHORE PAS-PAL-UM IS BOTH DROUGHT-TOLERANT AND PEST RESISTANT.
TRENHOLM: "It also offers consumers a low fertility, low irrigation grass that can be used, and will hold up well, which will make their outdoor activities enjoyable, provide a nice backdrop for recreation and give them a green lawn, which will enhance the curb appeal of their home." (:14))
AS WITH MOST NEW PRODUCTS, THE COST OF SEASHORE PASPALUM WILL BE SLIGHTLY HIGHER AT FIRST THAN TRADITIONAL TURFGRASSES. BUT UF EXPERTS SAY THE PRICE SHOULD COME DOWN AS PRODUCTION INCREASES NEXT YEAR. IN GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA...I'M LINDA KUBITZ REPORTING.