Why Sod? And Why Are Synthetics Bad for the Environment?
Thinking about going synthetic??? Think again!
Natural turfgrass sod is BENEFICIAL to the environment! Just remember to water wisely, choose the correct variety for your area and use,and follow maintenance guidelines.
Instantaneous beauty and immediate value with sod. Within just a few hours, sod transforms bare soil into a lush and beautiful carpet of grass. Landscaping with turfgrass from a top quality sod farm in California immediately increases the market value of property from 10-15%!
Sod creates a healthy environment. Sod cleans the air and helps recharge our groundwater supplies. Turfgrass is one of nature's finest and least expensive filters, and works to improve the environment.
Sod reduces heat, glare, and noise. On a hot summer day, a home lawn will be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt & 15 degrees cooler than bare soil. The front lawns of 8 homes have the cooling effect in hot weather of about 70 tons of air conditioning.
Our sod is grown by West Coast Turf at a top quality sod farm providing you an Instant Lawn. Sod will root down in about 10 days and can be ready for rough play within weeks. A seeded lawn cannot be used for months and will not stop the soil or seed from washing or blowing away. Sod can also be installed any time.
And what about synthetic turf?? Don't be "greenwashed" by the false claims of the synthetic turf industry. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is!
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The Truth About Artificial vs. Natural Turf
Did you know that....
- Ground rubber tires are used in some artificial fields, yet because of their toxic content they are prohibited from being disposed of in landfills or ocean dumping. Where will this toxic material be disposed when a replacement field becomes necessary?
- Temperatures on artificial fields have been documented to be upwards of 86.5 degrees hotter than natural grass fields under identical conditions. How long can players of all ages be safely exposed to this level of heat?
- Field sanitation that includes the removal of bodily fluids and/or animal droppings present a unique problem for artificial fields. Will antiseptic cleaners properly sanitize field? If so, how often?
- Abrasive surfaces such as artificial fields can result in difficult-to-heal injuries, particularly in the presence of bacterial or viral pathogens. Are you prepared to treat these wounds properly?
- Field hardness on artificial surfaces can result in serious chronic or immediate athletic injury? If additional ground tire rubber is periodically added to soften the field, is toxicity of the material also renewed?
- Natural turf is preferred by 88% of NFL players, and 96% believe that artificial turf contributes to injuries.
- Natural turfgrass saves energy. The front lawns of eight houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. That's amazing when the average home has an air conditioner with just a three or four ton capacity.
- Green turfgrass significantly lowers fire hazard risk. How would an artificial turf field fire be fought quickly while minimizing the danger to fire fighters, and reducing the release of toxic fumes?
- The initial price of artificial turf is many times greater than a natural turf area. Maintenance costs are equal or higher.
- Pro soccer players like Abby Wambach say #keepitreal
Think Green-Keep it Real! Check out more #KeepItReal updates on Twitter.
For more information on "the truth" check out:
- Turfgrass Producers International's Response to NFLPA's Request for Grassing All NFL Fields
- 49ers GM John Lynch Hopes NFL Switches to All Grass Fields Someday
- NFLPA: Only Natural Grass Can Level the NFL's Playing Field
- Facts About Artificial Turf
- Turf war: California Sues Fake-Grass Makers Over Lead Content
- Suits Filed Over Lead in Artificial Turf
- Can Playing on Artificial Turf Kill You?
- TURF WARS RAGE OVER FAKE GRASS
- Lead Traces Found in Artificial Turf
- Protest Targets Artificial Turf
- Tire Waste Athletic Fields Called into Question All Over the World
- Hidden Expenses of Artificial Turf
- Artificial Turf Health Risks Exposed
- San Francsico Parks Poised to Infect
- Serious Questions About New Artificial Turf
- Beard Turf Environmental Benefits
- Experts Spell Out True Costs Of Artificial Turf
- Frank Williams Comparing Artificial Vs. Natural Vs. Others
- Frank Williams--Synthetic Surface Heat Studies
- Is There A "Natural" Trend? Players, Turf Professionals And Architects Comment On The Possibility
- NBC Synthetic Turf Exposé
- NBC News Coverage of the debate taking place at the ballot box in San Francisco.
- Nanoparticles of carbon black and other substances of concern in crumb rubber
- For soccer players artificial turf is an issue of occupational safety and health
- How Taxpayers Get Fooled On The Cost Of An Artificial Turf Field
- West Deptford, New Jersey: Voters reject artificial turf
- Lancashire, United Kingdom: Back to natural grass at Preston North End’s Deepdale
- Iberia, Louisiana: Accusations of dirty pool in artificial turf bidding process
- Southern California Synthetic Fields are Failing
Think Green-Keep it Real!
Go to www.synturf.org for all current up to date info!
| Temperatures of surfaces at BYU practice fields in June 2002. Average air temperature = 81.42°F | ||||||
| Average surface temperature between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm | Average soil temperature between 7:00 am and 7:00 PM (two inch depth) | Average temperature between 9:00 am and 2:00 PM in the shade | ||||
| Average | High | Average | High | Average | High | |
| Soccer (synthetic) | 117.38°F | 157°F | 95.33°F | 116°F | ||
| Football (synthetic) | 117.04°F | 156°F | 96.48°F | 116.75°F | 75.89°F | 99°F |
| Natural Turf | 78.19°F | 88.5°F | 80.42°F | 90.75°F | 66.35°F | 75°F |
| Concrete | 94.08°F | |||||
| Asphalt | 109.62°F | |||||
| Bare Soil | 98.23°F | 90.08°F | ||||
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Source: "Synthetic Surface Heath Studies," C. Frank Williams and Gilbert E. Pulley, Sports Turf Managers Association Annual Conference, January 2004. | ||||||
