HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 01 22 Informational 503 Viable Turfgrasses
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 503
Informational
January 22, 2007
Regular Meeting
Mgr. / Dept.
Authorization
REQUEST:
The Community Development Department, Urban Beautification Services
Division, has been requested by the City Manager to inform the
Commission regarding viable turfgrasses for use on Residential property in
the City of Winter Springs.
PURPOSE:
It is our understanding that there may be some interest among
Commissioners regarding the use of Zoysiagrass in the City. The purpose
of this item is to inform the City Commission regarding survivability and
maintenance requirements of Zoysia and other turfgrasses that could be
installed on Residential property that could positively affect future
conservation efforts in the City.
CONSIDERATIONS:
As fresh potable (drinking) water continues to become a scarce commodity for the
entire State of Florida, conservation efforts are becoming increasingly important in
Residential and Commercial landscapes; especially at the local level. Water
conservation programs have been instituted by the Water Management Districts
Statewide to help address this problem.
Turfgrasses are an important asset to the landscape and require various levels of
care, dependent upon the variety installed, to provide a maintained and lush
appearance. Many turfgrasses are also a major strain on our drinking water supply by
consuming large amounts of potable water as a supplement to natural precipitation
and by the applied chemicals that continue to leech into groundwater contaminating
our lakes, streams and eventually ending up in the Florida Aquifer System.
012207_ COMM_Informational_503_Residential_Turf_ Grass_Zoysia
Staff has outlined below several common turfgrasses, showing their resource
requirements for the Central Florida area in an effort to provide potential alternatives
as we look at future conservation efforts for the City.
. Zoysiagrass - High maintenance, Medium drought tolerance, Poor
nematode tolerance, Mowing height 1-2" requires reel mowing as opposed
to rotary mowing, Chemical program requirements are medium to high.
Browns out in Winter months. Not recommended for Residential use due
to high maintenance requirements.
. Bahiagrass - Low maintenance, Excellent drought tolerance, Very good
nematode tolerance, Mowing height 3-4", Chemical program requirements
are low to none. Aesthetic appeal not as good as other grass options.
Highly recommended for Residential use where aesthetics is not of
primary importance.
. St. Augustinegrass - High maintenance, Poor drought tolerance, Good
nematode tolerance, Mowing height 2.5-4", Chemical program
requirements are medium to high. Generally the preferred turfgrass for
Residential lawns in spite of the negative impact to the water supply. Not
recommended for residential use where reclaimed water is not available.
. Bermudagrass - High maintenance, Good drought tolerance, Poor
nematode tolerance, Mowing height .5-1.5" (reel mower), Chemical
program requirements are medium. Good salt tolerance. Not generally
recommended for Residential lawns.
. Seashore Paspalum - Medium maintenance, Good drought tolerance,
Good nematode tolerance, Mowing height 1.5-3", Chemical requirements
are low to medium. It is difficult to remove wild bermuda from this type
of grass due to the lack of available chemicals. Recommended for
Residential lawns due to the wide range of soil types tolerated and the
medium level of maintenance required.
In summary, due to high maintenance, special mowing requirements, extremely low
nematode tolerance, and especially the winter browning characteristics of Zoysiagrass in
the Central Florida climate zone, Zoysiagrass would probably not be the best alternative
to St. Augustine in our climate zone.
City Staff and the Beautification of Winter Springs Advisory Board continue to
research viable landscaping alternatives to high maintenance materials that will promote
conservation in our Community for many years to come.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
No recommendations required.
ATT ACHMENTS:
COMMISSION ACTION:
2