OUR Grass is Greener

“His Grass is Greener: Minneapolis Homeowner Rips Out Lawn, Puts in Artificial Turf” is not a fabricated headline. It appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on May 30, 2018. The writer describes how the homeowner’s new plastic front yard is better for the environment than properly maintained turfgrass. Although a university expert is allowed to mention the benefits of real plants, the author’s tone clearly favors the artificial. In addition to the so-called environmental benefits of the plastic yard, its perceived economic benefits are also praised since the new yard only cost about $14,000. And that price does not include the fee of yearly visits by the installer to reset the yard. Nor does the article mention the product’s lifespan. Will it even last ten years?

The Minneapolis article is an indicator of the challenges our industry faces. Although persons and associations are slowly beginning to understand the environmental and economic value we provide, much work is still ahead. Even here in Virginia forces are allied against us. At a recent state-wide event hosted by a green industry association, the keynote speaker repeatedly disparaged turfgrass. She stumbled when a VTC member who was in the audience asked for facts to support her allegations. She had none. In another case, the director of a regional association told me she is against all home lawns.

Sadly, anti-turfgrass agendas and false narratives find their way into laws and regulations. For instance, last year, well-meaning members of the General Assembly introduced anti green-industry legislation. What is our reaction? In addition to reacting to specific bills that find their way to Richmond, most of our efforts are directed towards education. We continually seek to let key persons know about the value we provide.

The VTC is working hard to ensure we can continue to properly practice our trade. We are visiting legislators. We are hosting a legislative day during the winter’s General Assembly session. We initiated the Come to the Bay Conference. We spent two years providing a program designed to train homeowners and Master Gardeners. And more recently, we added a “Legislative Update” column to this Journal. The first one is in this issue and is written by Andrew Bray of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Mr. Bray provides a national overview on two subjects that affect us here in Virginia.

I am sorry to say that some persons will always be against our industry. After all, creating and maintaining division by vilifying their perceived opposition is a way for them to increase support – and readership. Our best counter is to consistently — and calmly — share facts while we continue to base our practices on science.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

VTC Executive Director