Posts by Cecilia Johnson
Expert Tips from Duke’s Grounds Crew on Greening Your Sports Turf
Discover Duke University grounds crews’ top green up tips for better turfgrass.
Read MoreBrazos™ Zoysiagrass Makes a Splash in 2024
Discover Brazos™ Zoysiagrass, a new turfgrass cultivar with outstanding drought tolerance, disease resistance and adaptability.
Read MoreManaging the Logistics of Transporting Turfgrass
Discover the intricate logistics behind turfgrass projects, from the farm to final installation. Learn how Sod Solutions Professionals, along with partners like Axle Logistics, manage hundreds of projects annually to ensure top-quality sod is delivered efficiently and in perfect condition.
Read MoreExplore the Key Attributes of NorthBridge® Bermudagrass
NorthBridge® Bermudagrass combines drought and cold tolerance with high-traffic durability and disease resistance, making it a top choice for turf professionals. Hear what growers are saying about its performance and dependability.
Read MoreLatitude 36® Bermudagrass Paves the Way for Iraq’s Golf Future
The Erbil Hills course in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, is the first grass golf course in the country. Designed by architect Cynthia Dye of Dye Designs Group, and managed by IMG, it was largely constructed during the Covid-19 pandemic and will open later this year. Atlas Turf International supplied the Latitude 36®…
Read MoreLatitude 36® Bermudagrass Elevates Via Mizner and South Florida Golf
The Golf Club Via Mizner in Boca Raton, FL, features an 18-hole Signature Golf Course by Jack Nicklaus, now enhanced by Latitude 36® Bermudagrass. Known for its unmatched playability and durability, this premium grass is transforming South Florida golf courses. Learn how agronomy expert George Redshaw leverages his extensive experience with Latitude 36 to maintain this high-end private facility.
Read MoreCobalt™ Hybrid St. Augustine Changing Perceptions About St. Augustinegrass and Water Use
Pallet of Cobalt™ Hybrid St. Augustine. Recent research indicates that, compared to other common St. Augustinegrasses, homeowners can save over 6,000 gallons of water a year by installing Cobalt™ Hybrid St. Augustine in the Southern US. It is rapidly transforming perceptions about St. Augustinegrasses and water use. Developed by Texas A&M AgriLife after nearly 20…
Read MoreSod Solutions Marketing Wins Ten Awards in National Contest
Sod Solutions traveled to Lake Las Vegas Resort in Nevada for the 35th Annual Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Meeting from April 29 to May 1, 2024 and brought home ten communications awards, including a prestigious Gardner Award. Competing among some of the most reputable turfgrass industry marketing companies and publications, Sod Solutions won…
Read MoreDr. Grady Miller: Advancing Turfgrass Science and Education
Dr. Grady Miller, PhD, is a Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist and the ENVU Distinguished Professor of Sustainability at N.C. State University. Growing up on a cattle farm in Florien, Louisiana, he developed an early interest in agriculture. As a first-generation college graduate, he pursued an Agriculture degree at Louisiana Tech, inspired by his teachers…
Read MoreEnhancing Military Dog Training with Celebration® Bermudagrass at Joint Base Charleston
At Joint Base Charleston, the Military Working Dog Kennel isn’t just a training facility—it’s a crucial part of our national defense where K9 units, serving alongside their handlers, are prepared for duty. To ensure these four-legged heroes have optimal training conditions, the base chose Celebration® Bermudagrass for its robustness and adaptability. From the installation process…
Read MoreCelebration® Bermudagrass: The Key Player in Hillsborough County’s Massive Field Renovation Project
Discover how Hillsborough County has transformed over 200 sports fields with resilient Celebration® Bermudagrass since Spring 2019, promoting equity and high-quality, sustainable playing surfaces. Learn about the ongoing efforts to enhance community sports and achieve sporting excellence.
Read MoreNashville Zoo Transforms Habitats with Innovative Horticulture
Under the guidance of horticultural expert David Farrow, the Nashville Zoo has embarked on a transformative journey, reshaping its animal habitats to more closely mirror their natural environments. Leveraging over a decade of experience in zoo horticulture, Farrow has introduced innovative practices that blend aesthetics, animal comfort and environmental sustainability. Over the past two years,…
Read MoreThe Lifecycle of a Turfgrass: From Development to Market
Dive into the fascinating journey of turfgrass, from its inception in research labs to its presence in markets worldwide. This article unfolds the stages involved in the development of turfgrass, spotlighting the innovation and collaborative efforts that fuel this process.
Read MorePerformance First: NorthBridge® Bermudagrass Upgrades Providence Day School Athletics
Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC, upgrades athletic fields with NorthBridge® Bermudagrass for enhanced sports performance and versatility.
Read MoreSpring Into Football: Discovering Neyland Stadium’s Latitude 36® Bermudagrass Advantage
Latitude 36® Bermudagrass is the grass of choice inside Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee.
Read MoreThe 2024 PGA TOUR’s Swing on Celebration® Bermudagrass
The PGA TOUR is gearing up for four consecutive tournaments on Celebration® Bermudagrass. Learn more about the reason behind the grass selection for these courses.
Read MoreSod Solutions Hires Sam Greenwood for Sod Sales and Development
Sod Solutions is thrilled to announce the hiring of Sam Greenwood to pursue Sod Sales and Development actively. With over 40 years of experience in the turf industry, Greenwood brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise into his new position. “I look forward to furthering Sod Solutions reach in the sod industry through expanding the…
Read MoreWorld-Class Bermuda for World-Class Talent at Inter Miami CF
Latitude 36® Bermudagrass proves as standout grass selection for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami FC stadium.
Read MoreDiscover Crossroads at Palmetto Bluff: A Reversible Golf Course with NorthBridge® Bermudagrass
Nestled in the picturesque Bluffton, South Carolina, the Palmetto Bluff Club strategically decided in 2023 to carpet its new golf course, Crossroads, with NorthBridge® Bermudagrass.
Read MoreSod Solutions Celebrates 30 Years: From Kitchen Table to Around the World
Sod Solutions celebrates 30 years in business in 2024. Learn about the origin and history of the company’s growth over the past three decades.
Read MoreWoerner Farms’ Commitment to Turfgrass, Growth and Excellence
The name Woerner resonates within the southeastern United States turfgrass industry, rooted across generations. George Woerner’s grandfather who migrated from Germany to Alabama laid the groundwork for their agricultural lineage. Through various agricultural pursuits – produce, cattle and crop farming – the family ventured into turfgrass in 1978 by planting 20 acres of St. Augustine…
Read MoreOle Miss Revamps Football Stadium with NorthBridge Bermudagrass
In a turn of events sparked by a Morgan Wallen concert, the playing surface at the University of Mississippi’s football stadium transformed in May 2023 from its longstanding 419 Bermudagrass to NorthBridge® Bermudagrass. Assistant Director of Sports Turf, Brian McNeil, explained the revenue from the concert made it possible to resod Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the…
Read MoreImproving Sod Farming: How Turf Logistics Transformed Delta Bluegrass Co.’s Operations
In January 2020, Delta Bluegrass Co., a prominent sod farm located just an hour away from Silicon Valley, embarked on a journey to streamline and enhance its operations. The key to success? Turf Logistics, a comprehensive software solution tailored to the specific needs of sod farms. We sat down with Katie Piazza-Lesley, Delta Bluegrass Co.’s…
Read MoreInaugural Celebration Hybrid™ Bermudagrass Field Day Draws Big Crowd at Star Turf Farms
Sod Solutions held a Celebration Hybrid™ Bermudagrass Field Day on the morning of Oct. 31 at Star Turf Farms in Indiantown, FL. The event gathered over 70 prospective turfgrass producers, turfgrass installers, sports field managers, golf course superintendents architects and industry professionals together to see the first release from the Celebration X Breeding Program in…
Read MoreModern Turf’s Greens for Good: Supporting First Responders and Veterans
Earlier this summer, golf specialists Modern Turf out of Rembert, SC stepped in to help, donating a full set of Sunday® Ultra-Dwarf Bermuda putting greens to Tarpon Woods Golf Club in Harbor, Florida. The course was recently purchased by LPGA professional Jan Stephenson’s Crossroads Foundation for Wounded Warriors, which provides opportunities for wounded warriors and…
Read MoreMeet Kevin Morris, the Leader Behind the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program
Kevin Morris, the seasoned Executive Director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), embarked on his impactful journey in the turfgrass industry back in the early ’80s. His remarkable career began with a pivotal decision to join the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Research Service (ARS) facility in Beltsville, Maryland, in 1981. Remarkably,…
Read MoreRevolutionizing Turfgrass Management: Recognition’s Impact on Bermudagrass Control
Dr. Fred Yelverton, weed specialist and a seasoned turfgrass expert with over three decades of weed management research experience, recently shed light on the groundbreaking product known as Recognition and its transformative impact on bermudagrass management within zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass. Having been affiliated with NC State University since 1984, Dr. Yelverton’s insights carry substantial…
Read MoreCitraBlue® St. Augustine Showcases its Superior Shade Tolerance
CitraBlue® St. Augustine, the new grass released by the University of Florida has some of the best shade tolerance for a St. Augustine on the market today. Jim Shaffer, a resident in High Point neighborhood in Brooksville, FL shares his satisfaction with his CitraBlue lawn. As a retired golf course superintendent who bought a house…
Read MoreInnovation® Emerges as Quality Zoysiagrass for Southeastern U.S.
Sodmasters Turf Farm, a licensed sod producer in Montrose, GA has been growing Innovation® Zoysiagrass for the past four years. With an initial 13 acres and later expanding to 42 acres, their commitment to progress and excellence in cultivating this exceptional new turfgrass variety has yielded impressive results. Sodmasters and a number of sod farms…
Read MoreCelebration Hybrid™ Bermudagrass Hits the Ground Running
After several years of small plot testing and acreage expansion, Celebration Hybrid™ Bermudagrass is now being installed at a number of golf courses in Florida for larger testing and evaluation for possible future renovations. This is the next major step for the Celebration Hybrid program to continue building awareness of the brand and getting it…
Read MorePGA Frisco Resort Chooses NorthBridge® Bermudagrass for Championship Courses
After 1,362 days of construction, the highly-anticipated PGA Frisco Resort in Frisco, TX, officially opened its doors on May 2, 2023. The new headquarters for the PGA of America, in partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts, the City of Frisco and the Frisco Independent School District, is set to become a major attraction for golf…
Read MoreSod Solutions Receives 2023 GardenComm Media Awards Silver and Gold Laurel Medals of Achievement
Sod Solutions recently received the 2023 Media Awards Silver and Gold Laurel Medal of Achievement for Digital Media: Video, presented by GardenComm: Garden Communicators International. This national award recognizes individuals and companies who achieve the highest levels of talent and professionalism in garden communications. The 2023 competition had 121 entries in 39 categories. Recipients of…
Read MoreThe Surprising Benefits of Turfgrass: A Food Resource for Bees
Did you know that the turfgrass in your yard can serve as a food source for pollinators? Dr. Karen Harris-Shultz, a research geneticist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Tifton, GA, is leading the charge in the finding that many grasses, even some turfgrasses, can serve as a pollen food source for bees and…
Read MoreSod Solutions Hosts Open House Featuring New Products from SatQuote and Kress
On June 21, Sod Solutions joined forces with Kress and SatQuote to host a Turf & Tech open house event for Charleston area landscapers. The event showcased Sod Solutions turfgrass varieties, SatQuote measuring, and estimation software, and Kress battery equipment technology and robotics. The gathering was held at the Sod Solutions office in Awendaw, where…
Read MoreLicensing Period Opens for Sola™ St. Augustinegrass Following Successful Field Day at Oakland Plantation
On June 14, a Sola™ St. Augustinegrass Field Day was held at Oakland Plantation Turf Farm in Council, NC. The event gathered over 20 sod producers from across the Carolinas and as far away as Texas to learn about this new variety. The purpose of the event was to showcase the new turfgrass variety to…
Read MoreCelebrating a Turfgrass Ambassador: John Williams Bids Adieu to Oakland Plantation
Just a week after celebrating his 65th birthday, a man well-known in the North Carolina turfgrass industry, John Williams, retired from Oakland Plantation after working as the farm manager for 20 years. He started his role at the farm in May 2003 after spending the previous two decades as a golf course superintendent. Oakland Plantation’s…
Read MoreGrowing from the Ground Up: The Remarkable Journey of Star Turf Farms
Star Turf Farms is a well-recognized sod business in Florida known for its superior quality and longtime farming operations established across the region. What started as a 600-acre cattle-grazing farm has now grown to 30,000 acres. The dedication behind this turfgrass operation and the people running the business are a testament to their success. History…
Read MoreSod Solutions Marketing Wins Eight Awards in National Contest
Sod Solutions traveled to Portland, Maine for the 33rd Annual Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) Meeting during the last week of April and brought home eight communications awards. Competing among some of the most reputable turfgrass industry marketing companies and publications, Sod Solutions won three First Place Awards and five Merit Awards. First Place…
Read MoreLatitude 36® Bermudagrass Takes Duke Softball to the Next Level
Latitude 36® Bermudagrass has been a game changer for Duke University softball, suiting the Blue Devils fast style of play. Latitude 36 has some of the best “playability” of any bermuda on the market and is a favorite in the college sports industry. Duke University employs Latitude 36 on numerous athletic fields around campus including…
Read MoreA Winning Tradition with Celebration® Bermudagrass at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium
At almost 11,000 capacity, Alex Box Stadium has been one of the premiere facilities in all of college baseball since its opening in 2009. It has played host to numerous NCAA regionals and super regionals. Celebration® Bermudagrass has been as much a staple at this ballpark as hotdogs. This grass gives the LSU Tigers baseball…
Read MoreTPC Louisiana Prepares Celebration® Bermudagrass Course Ahead of PGA TOUR Event
The entire staff at TPC Louisiana is staying very busy in the few weeks leading up to the PGA TOUR making its way to Avondale, Louisiana, a suburb southwest of New Orleans. TPC Louisiana’s Superintendent, Tyler McCool, joined the staff nearly seven years ago after working at a course in Mississippi for four years. McCool,…
Read MoreNorthBridge® Bermuda a Stand Out for the Crimson Tide’s Baseball Stadium
Sewell-Thomas Stadium, also known as “The Joe”, opened in March 1948 as the home field for the University of Alabama baseball team. In 2015 the stadium underwent a complete modernization renovation and following the makeover, switched to NorthBridge® Bermudagrass. Athletic Grounds Director Jon Dewitt loves the recuperative ability that NorthBridge displays along with its color…
Read MoreThe Legacy Continues at Florida’s Bayside Sod
For the past 35 years, Bayside Sod has been supplying turfgrass along the west coast of Florida. It all started back in 1987 when Jack Bispham’s family left the dairy business and he decided to venture into the turfgrass industry. He started the business with a 20-acre field of St. Augustine grass in Sarasota, FL.…
Read MoreNorthBridge® Bermudagrass: The Key to a Picture-Perfect Pitch at Orlando City Soccer
The world of soccer is constantly evolving, and with that comes the need for high-quality playing surfaces that meet the demands of the modern game. Major League Soccer’s Orlando City has found just that in the form of NorthBridge® Bermudagrass. This unique strain of grass has proven to be the perfect fit for the team’s…
Read More“Inside the Ropes” at the 2023 GCSAA Conference
This week as exhibitors and attendees make their way inside the 2023 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show in Orlando, they are greeted by a newly built golf hole. The “Inside the Ropes” grass installation, which was coordinated by Sod Solutions Professionals and GCSAA, features five premier golf grasses from…
Read MoreSod Solutions Welcomes Martín Ignes
Martín Ignes joins Sod Solutions as the new Director of Retail and Professional Development for Florida. He has an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina and a Master’s degree from Mississippi State University in Plant and Soil Sciences with a Weed Science Concentration. Ignes will help continue to…
Read MoreAll Roads Led to Sod Farming for Myles Kubicek
Myles Kubicek, owner of Kubicek Turf Farms has always been surrounded by the turfgrass industry in some way or another. Now, managing a successful operation in Wharton, TX, he is glad his interest in turfgrass turned into a passion. Kubicek and his wife Emily, both grew up in Wharton and have been together since high…
Read MoreSodmasters Turf Farm Uses Home Building Business to Bolster Sales
Sodmasters Turf Farm is a well-known sod producer in the state of Georgia, located in Montrose. In 2004 the owner Tom Bradbury purchased the historic farmland, Whitehall Plantation, which was formerly one of Georgia’s largest strictly agricultural plantations from William (Bill) Holmes. Holmes was a descendent of the original owner that purchased the property and…
Read MoreLooking Ahead at 2023
Below is a message from Sod Solutions President Tobey Wagner with an outlook on 2023. The writing is on the wall and it seems certain that businesses and consumers will face the headwinds of a changing economy in 2023. To prepare for the future, strategies are needed to face the challenges of inflation, labor shortages…
Read MorePassing the Torch at Oakland Plantation Turf Farm
Oakland Plantation, situated on a bluff overlooking the Cape Fear River in Bladen County, was built over 200 years ago by General Thomas Brown, a Revolutionary War patriot. It is one of a few houses of its period in North Carolina still being used today. In 1970, Oakland Plantation began the sod farming business with…
Read MoreCountry Club of Florida Awarded “2022 Florida Celebration® Golf Course of the Year”
Country Club of Florida Director of Golf, Jeff Klontz and his golf course maintenance team were awarded the “2022 Florida Celebration® Golf Course of the Year” Award. The award is given annually to talented maintenance professionals who display excellence in maintaining Celebration, Latitude 36® or NorthBridge® Bermudagrass golf courses and sports fields. The award is…
Read MoreFrom Indiana to Colorado, Grassmasters Sod Farms Innovates for 25 Years
Joe and Pamela Bammer, owners of Grassmasters Sod Farms, started their sod farming business 25 years ago in June 1997. The two were married in 1987 and continue to be partners in life and in their company. Joe and Pam met while both attending college at Colorado State University. After graduating, Joe didn’t decide to…
Read MoreA Golden Anniversary for Simpson Sod
Fifty years ago, Jim Simpson founded Simpson Sod Company. Jim, who’d grown up on a farm in Mississippi carried his love for agriculture and farming throughout his life. The farm he was raised on produced sweet potatoes and cotton, raised cattle and had a dairy operation. When he went to college at Mississippi State, Jim…
Read MoreCajun Celebration: LSU’s Grass of Choice in Baton Rouge
LSU’s Tiger Stadium features Celebration® Bermudagrass.
Read MoreSod Solutions Professionals Welcomes Craig Potts
After 27 years spearheading turfgrass operations for Texas A&M Athletics, Craig Potts joins Sod Solutions Professionals as Project Manager. In his role, Potts will visit facilities and sod farms helping manage the selection of turfgrass, meet with groundskeepers and contractors for upcoming projects and use his experiences to make suggestions for a successful project or…
Read MoreMississippi State University Releases Celebration Hybrid™ Bermudagrass
Mississippi State University’s Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station officially released Celebration Hybrid™ Bermudagrass (experimental name MSB 1017) at the 2022 Turfgrass Research Field Day on Sept. 22, 2022, held in Starkville, MS. The new cultivar is the first release out of the “Celebration X” breeding program, which stemmed from the idea of cross-pollinating Celebration® Bermudagrass…
Read MoreSecrets to Success: Latitude 36® Bermudagrass at Bryant-Denny Stadium
An inside look at Latitude 36® Bermudagrass in Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Read MoreSod Farm Manager Retires from Duda Sod After Four Decades
Shaun O’Brien, farm manager at Duda Sod’s Lake Placid farm, will retire after 42 years of working for the company. Duda Sod is a division of Duda & Sons, Inc. (DUDA) and O’Brien has overseen their largest sod location for the past 12 years. “I’m thankful to the Duda family, DUDA is a family-owned business…
Read MoreNashville SC Starts Season with MLS Proven Bermudagrass
Most people take old desk supplies or some new ideas with them from one job to the next. But Nashville Soccer Club (SC) Groundskeeper Adam Portenier took much more when he left FC Dallas in September 2019. Portenier, who’d been at FC Dallas for five years brought his love for a turfgrass variety from one…
Read MoreNC State University Releases Sola™, the Newest St. Augustinegrass
Sola™ St. Augustinegrass was released at the 2022 Lake Wheeler Field Day on Aug. 10, 2022 in Raleigh, NC.
Read MoreFrom Farm to Capitol: Keith Truenow’s Political Roots Run Deep in Agriculture
Keith Truenow, founder of Lake Jems Farms in Mount Dora, Florida was elected to the House of Representatives for District 31 in November 2020. Truenow, a local farmer and rancher, now addresses agriculture issues from a seat at the state capital. Born in Minnesota, Truenow grew up learning how to fish and drive a boat…
Read MoreNorth Carolina State University’s Art Bruneau Looks Back on a Distinguished Career
Art Bruneau, Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Faculty at NCSU’s Crop and Soil Department has played an important role in the turfgrass industry for many years. Bruneau takes a looks back on a long and distinguished career.
Read MoreDedication to Agriculture is the “Way of Life” for Dr. Jim Bostick
Dr. Jim Bostick has spent his entire life working in agriculture. Currently the Executive Vice President of the Alabama Crop Improvement and Southern Seed Certification Association (SSCA), Bostick said the best way to describe American agriculture is “way of life” for him. “It takes a lot of dedication, commitment and understanding that there will be…
Read MoreGeorgia’s McLemore Club Features Two Top Performing Bermudagrasses
The McLemore Golf Course and Country Club, located on Lookout Mountain in Rising Fawn, GA sought a cold-tolerant grass with early green-up. In 2019, the club began a course and driving range renovation selecting two different bermudagrasses that favor each other.
Read MoreHorizon Grass Farms Thrives as Business Transitions into Third Generation
Horizon Grass Farms has grown from a 20-acre homestead into a successful turfgrass operation in Texas. The Gavranovic family stays hard at work providing quality turfgrass throughout the Lonestar State.
Read MoreSod Farm of Over 45 Years Expands Business Across Tennessee
Winstead Turf Farms continues to supply quality proprietary turfgrass varieties across Tennessee for over 45 years.
Read MoreImpeccable Grass the Standard at Pike Creek Turf
Pike Creek Turf is a family-operated business that has been successfully providing quality turfgrass to clients all over the world over the past 33 years.
Read MoreGrowing for the Pros: Evergreen Turf Cultivates Success on the West Coast
Since 1999, Evergreen Turf has expanded into a large sod business across four states. Evergreen grows 13 different turfgrass varieties and has supplied Latitude 36® Bermudagrass for several major sports arenas on the West Coast.
Read MoreEMPIRE® Zoysia Welcomes Fans at Joker Marchant in Lakeland, FL
Surrounding Publix Field in Lakeland, Florida is over an acre of EMPIRE® Zoysia welcoming fans to the Lakeland Flying Tigers minor league stadium.
Read MoreMajor Sports Arena in Brazil Resurfaces Celebration® Bermudagrass in Record Timing
Greenleaf Gramados is a company based in Brazil that has been installing and maintaining sports field surfaces since 1988. Recently the company has completed a major sod sprigging job inside a mega-stadium called Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Greenleaf Gramados has been the company responsible for the maintenance at Maracanã for a number of years.…
Read MoreBraeBurn Country Club Renovates Course as it Celebrates 90 Years
BraeBurn Country Club in Houston, Texas just celebrated its 90th year of operation with a full course renovation by architect Tripp Davis.
Read MoreBehind the Curtain at Modern Turf: Hank Kerfoot
Hank Kerfoot comes from a golf-rich family background. His father, who is in his late 80’s, is an accomplished golfer that went to Wake Forest and played golf with Arnold Palmer. Kerfoot grew up as a caddy for his dad at their local country club in Arlington, VA. “I just grew up around golf grass.…
Read MorePGA’s New Frisco Headquarters Chooses NorthBridge® Bermudagrass
PGA of America chooses NorthBridge® Bermudagrass on new headquarter courses and practice facility in Frisco, Texas.
Read MoreIntroducing Cobalt™ Hybrid St. Augustinegrass
The Texas A&M AgriLife Research program and turfgrass breeder Dr. Ambika Chandra have officially released Cobalt™ Hybrid St. Augustinegrass (experimental designation DALSA 1618). After nearly 20 years of research and development, Cobalt was selected over other experimental turfgrass lines for its commercial potential. “Cobalt will change how the industry views and uses St. Augustinegrass. Its…
Read MoreFrom Peru to North Carolina State University: The Journey of Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis
Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis, a professor and university faculty scholar of turfgrass breeding at North Carolina State University (NCSU) has a very impressive and interesting life story. Born and raised in Lima, the capital of Peru, she now runs one of the best up-and-coming turfgrass programs in the nation. Her attention to nature and green space…
Read MoreFormer Golf Course Builder Leads Sod Farm into 20th Year of Business
Owner Drew Veazey has led Superior Turf, Inc. to become one of the largest producers of turfgrass in Georgia over the past 20 years.
Read MoreHarbour Ridge Awarded “2021 Florida Celebration Golf Course of the Year”
Harbour Ridge Yacht and Country Club Director of Golf Tim Cann and his golf course maintenance team were selected as the “2021 Florida Celebration Golf Course of the Year” Award recipients.
Read MoreLobo™ Zoysiagrass Released by North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University’s Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics program, under the direction of Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis, has released Lobo™ Zoysiagrass (experimental name XZ 14069).
Read MoreSporting Kansas City Finding Success with NorthBridge® Bermudagrass
When MLS team Sporting Kansas City debuted Children’s Mercy Park stadium in 2011, being in a “transition zone” area of the country where weather extremes are the norm, the club started with bluegrass as its surface. Over time, the club realized the need for a warm-season grass type and switched over to NorthBridge® Bermudagrass, which…
Read MoreChief Among Grasses: NorthBridge® Shines at Arrowhead Stadium
NorthBridge® Bermudagrass is the turfgrass of choice at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, MO. Excellent Cold Tolerance & Aggressive Rooting Arrowhead Stadium made the switch to NorthBridge® Bermudagrass in 2013. NorthBridge has excellent cold tolerance, aggressive rooting, rapid recovery and early spring green-up. Each year the stadium hosts eight…
Read MoreSuccess at School: NorthBridge® Bermudagrass at Christopher Newport University
Christopher Newport University uses NorthBridge® Bermudagrass on their campus. Watch this video to learn why they like NorthBridge.
Read MoreThe Celebration X Program On Display at the MSU Field Day
The Mississippi State Turfgrass Research Field Day returns in-person this year after a virtual show last year. On display in Starkville on September 22 and 23 will be the Celebration X research program. The program was started in 2014 to breed new progenies from world standard Celebration® Bermudagrass. Now several new lines are close to…
Read MorePasto Santa Cruz Celebrates 20 Years of Supplying Turfgrass in Mexico
Pasto Santa Cruz in Monterrey, Mexico is staying busy. Owners Celso Martinez and Marcelo Madero are hopeful their sod farm will be able to complete renovations for the 2026 World Cup if a stadium in their area gets a bid. Pasto Santa Cruz was founded by Martinez in 2001. Initially, he said they mostly grew…
Read MoreSports and Golf Across California Turning to a Better Bermudagrass
Delta Bluegrass Company is a full-line sod company in Stockton, California with deep roots servicing the state since 1978. Several years ago, Delta Bluegrass started growing and selling a new turfgrass variety that thrives in the West Coast climate. Delta Bluegrass’ Sports and Turfgrass Manager, Steve Abella said in 2017 they began hearing impressive feedback…
Read MoreValencia Palms Makes the Change to CitraBlue® St. Augustine
Over the past year, Lethal Viral Necrosis (LVN) of Floratam St. Augustinegrass has continued to be an increasingly expensive landscape issue affecting South Florida. LVN, which is caused by Sugarcane Mosaic Virus, has wiped out entire lawns throughout entire neighborhoods, causing a reaction among many homeowners to find a solution. CitraBlue® St. Augustine has emerged…
Read MoreDr. Bryan Unruh: Firmly Rooted in the Turfgrass Industry
The University of Florida’s Dr. Bryan Unruh’s career is full of accomplishments that have made him stand out within the turfgrass industry.
Read MoreCitraBlue Expands Outside of Continental U.S., Performs Well in Hawaii
Southern Turf Hawaii recently started growing and harvesting CitraBlue® St. Augustine. The company, in Mililani, has supplied Hawaii with residential, commercial, retail and golf course sod and grass for more than 20 years. President of Southern Turf Hawaii, Danny Green, says he’s excited about this new grass variety. His business is a partner of The…
Read MorePaul Grose Reflects on Almost 40 Years at King Ranch
Paul Grose, the Vice President of King Ranch Florida Operations shares his journey into the company and his role in operations. Grose grew up as a preacher’s kid. He was born in New Hampshire but spent his early childhood traveling with his family in South East Asia as missionaries of the Methodist Church. They went…
Read MoreCongaree Revives Historic Course While Simultaneously Preparing for PGA Event
The Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, S.C. is preparing to host its very first PGA Tour event in mid-June. As professional golfers and fans travel to the Palmetto Championship, the Congaree Foundation is far busier than one might realize. Simultaneously preparing for this major golf event, the Congaree Foundation is giving back to the Jasper…
Read MoreCitraZoy® Delivers Better Winter Color
CitraZoy® Zoysiagrass is a newly commercially released zoysiagrass from the University of Florida. Compared to other Florida grass variety options, CitraZoy exhibits better winter color. One attribute that was being sought in the breeding process was the ability to hold onto a strong color throughout the year in Florida. CitraZoy, which is finer-bladed, outpaces others…
Read MoreCitraZoy is Developed for Disease Resistance
Until EMPIRE® Zoysia came along, zoysias had a troubled past in Florida. One of the issues is the Florida weather which frequently creates perfect conditions for turfgrass disease to run rampant. EMPIRE itself often needs preventative fungicides around Florida for this reason. When Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, a professor of Grass Breeding and Genetics in the…
Read MoreSod Solutions Returns to Trade Shows for the First Time in Over a Year
COVID-19 canceled most 2020 trade shows and forced others to move to a virtual format. Now there is light at the end of the long tunnel as many 2021 events are beginning to gather again in person. Now, after 14 months, Sod Solutions finally returned in person at the 2021 Texas ASLA Conference at the…
Read MoreCitraZoy is a New, Finer-bladed Grass Option for Florida Lawns
CitraZoy® Zoysiagrass is a newly commercially released zoysiagrass from the University of Florida. The variety is a finer-bladed zoysiagrass than other Florida grass variety options. EMPIRE® Zoysia, one of the most common types of zoysiagrasses in Florida has a bigger, wider blade that is quite different from CitraZoy. Dr. Kevin Kenworthy, a professor of Grass…
Read MoreMcCall Sod Farm’s business remains strong after 54 years in the Florida panhandle
In 1971, three local businessmen bought a sod farm located on Highway 231 about six miles north of Panama City, FL. Now, 50 years later, the same families are operating the sod farm together. McCall Sod Farm was founded by Howell McCall in 1967, and a few years later James “Jimmy” Maulden, Jack Laird and…
Read MoreThe Increasing Demand for Warm Season Grasses in California
The California turfgrass industry has seen a major transition from cool-season grasses to warm-season grasses in recent years. Larry LeMay, President and seed buyer of A-G Sod Farms said they have witnessed this steadily over time. A-G’s California farm locations are in Moreno Valley, Palmdale, Fresno and Stockton. “Twenty years ago, at our Fresno farm,…
Read MoreThe 13-year Development History of CitraZoy
Funded by Florida sod farms, CitraZoy Zoysiagrass was developed by UF for the Florida market. This is a timeline of the 13-year development of CitraZoy.
Read MoreCitraZoy Zoysiagrass – Virtual Field Day
Christian Broucqsault and Justin Wallace go over the latest from the CitraZoy program in this producer-focused field day on October 28, 2020.
Read MorePayne Sod Farm to Become Wholesale Contract Grower for H & E Sod Nursery
Two major sod farms in Illinois are joining forces and making a major transition to kick off the 2021 season. Payne Sod Farm, Inc. has announced it will move forward as a wholesale contract grower for H & E Sod Nursery, Inc. With a longstanding relationship between the two farms, both H&E Vice President Darin…
Read MoreThomas Turfgrass: “Living the Dream”
Thomas Turfgrass is a longtime, well-known sod producer and installation business in Wharton, Texas. The sod company prides itself on its family operation and pleasing customers throughout the entire process of purchasing new grass. Emory Thomas is the owner of Thomas Turfgrass, managing the operations of four sod farms spanning the area around Wharton, Austin…
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