INSTANT LAWN: SOD FARMING IN OREGON

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1 INSTANT LAWN: SOD FARMING IN OREGON by Brian Dyck Mr. Dyck is a graduate of Oregon Co llege of Education. He presently is pursuing graduate studies at Oregon State University, Corvallis,Oregon. I n the past, the term the "sod farmer" usually referred to the Midwest farmer of the 1800's tilling the stiff prairie soils without the aid of advanced technology and scientific knowledge. Then about twenty five years ago, beginning in the Midwest, the term began to take on a new meaning. It referred to the development of a new agricultural industry, the commercial production of sod for lawns in residential and recreational areas, industrial parks and in the beautification of freeway and highway systems. The sod industry is emerging in Oregon. Its development and prospects can be understood by examining three major facets: the purposes of turf in its hi storical context; the advantages and disadvantages of "instant lawn" to the consumer; and the industry's locational factors. EVOLUTION OF THE SOD INDUSTRY During the fifteenth century, commercial sod was grown on flat, marshy areas along the coastlines of England and Scotland. l The sod industry, however, did not receive significant attention until improved turf grasses were gradually developed. Adapting these grass species, sod farmers produced better and larger quantities of commercial sod. The sod was used to fulfill certain recreational, conservational and ornamental functions. 37

2 USE No Traffic Heavy Use Lawn From Seed & Lawn From Sod 4 SEED OR SOD TIME Minimum 2 months Seed Maximum 6 months Minimum Instant Sod Maximum 1 month Minimum 4 months Seed Maximum 1 year m st u 01 g tio v U II t, a r Sod Minimum Maximum 2 months 6 months The recreational use of commercial sod can be traced back to the time of James IV ( ) when the national sport of England and Scotland was golf. Parts of the golf courses were covered with commercial sod that farmers had grown, cut, rolled and laid. 2 Commercial sod may also have been used for tennis and outdoor "bowls" as it was for golf because of the popularity of all three sports among the nobility. The major recreational function of the turf was to provide a suitable playing surface. Today, this function is particularly important in helping to prevent serious injuries in such sports as soccer, rugby and football. Commercial sod also provided conservational functions. It helped to control wind and water erosion of soil, and reduce dust and mud problems, sun glare and heat buildup. More recently, it has helped to control noise and air pollution. The sod industry, however, received its greatest impetus because of turf's ornamental or aesthetic appeal. In England and other European countries, during the eighteenth cen- tury, this appeal of clean, natural greenness was exemplified by grandiose gardens and estates owned by royalty. But unlike the development of the sod industry in the European countries which catered mainly to the luxury needs of.a small portion of society, the aesthetic appeal of turfs attracted a diversity of customers in the United States. Here the demand arose from rapidly emerging subdivisions throughout various Midwest states and retirement centers in Florida with large golf courses and other recreational facilities for which "instant lawn" was desired. ADVANTAGES OF COMMERCIAL SOD The major advantage of commercial sod is that it makes possible " instant lawn". The time saving is clear when one realizes that a landscaper can lay, in a normal eight hour day, 4,500-4,800 square feet of sod for rought work or a freeway project, 2,700-4,500 square feet of residential area or industrial park, or 3,000 square feet for a golf green. 3 Thus, a 38

3 major advantage to the buyer of instant lawn is its almost immediate use. 4 Another most important advantage of commercial sod is the grower's guarantee that the product is relatively weed, pest, and disease free. In order to make this guarantee, the various precautions are taken, such as using appropriate grass blends, spraying with chemicals, adding needed types of fertilizers, and maintaining and harvesting the sod with wide tire machinery to avoid leaving an imprint. The time factor and the quality of the product, both contribute to increasing the property value of a landscaped lot or area. Just in Michigan and Florida where the sod industry first began, this advantage provided a major impetus for the development of the industry in Oregon. According to a study done by a major sod producer, houses on landscaped lots sold more quickly than those that were not. 5 DISADVANTAGES OF "INSTANT LAWN" The major disadvantage of installing commercial sod is the initial cost. For example, if an owner of a new residential home lived within a 100 miles of a sod farm and wanted a 1,000 square feet sodded, it would cost him about $ Whereas if this same area were seeded by a landscaper, it would cost the homeowner about $ On the other hand, if the homeowner seeded the area himself which includes only the cost of seed and fertilizer, approximately the same amount used by the commercial sod producer, it would cost the homeowner about $8.00. However, this difference in costs between commercial sod, a professionally seeded lawn and the self planted lawn requires consideration of several other factors. It should be noted, that the purchase of commercial sod includes transportation costs, as well as the indirect benefits of a guaranteed product and almost immediate use. These factors take on more significance when one realizes that the self planted lawn requires the purchase, transport and application of different chemicals and growing period of twelve to fourteen months, depending upon climatic conditions, soil characteristics and drainage. On the other hand, in comparison to the professionally seeded lawn, the cost of the self planted lawn does not account for preparation of the plot or area to be seeded, top soil (amount depending on the area) and machinery and tools. But at the same time, planting a lawn may be a homeowner's way of using his leisure time. Thus, a homeowner's consideration of installing a lawn becomes primarily a question of time and money. GROWING SOD IN OREGON Growing sod is basically a simple process. It involves the initial planting of the grass seeds, the minimal maintenance of a developing turf and the harvesting of a mature sod. In addition to factors of growing turfs, the visceral location factor and the selection of grass species are of prime importance. The Location Factor The location of the sod farm is significantly effected by the proximity of its markets because sod is both a perishable and a bulky product. Soon after the sod is cut, it must be laid, otherwise it deteriorates because of open exposure of the roots. These roots are embedded in a very minimal amount of soil, for the grower is selling sod not soil. This perishable characteristic and the bulkiness of sod results in most sod farms being 39

4 located within a fifty mile radius of their major markets, usually metropolitan areas. Location of sod farms is also influenced by the need for flat topography. During harvesting procedures, the sod harvester or cutting machine requires a level surface to maintain the exact measurements of the rectangular slabs which usually are 1/4 to 3/ 4 inch thick, 24 inches wide and 36 inches long, but may vary according to different types of sod harvesters. The level topography also assists mowing operations in maintaining a uniform grass length which is important in developing a quality product. Improved Grasses In addition to the importance of the location factor, producing commercial sod involves an understanding and knowledge of different types of grasses. Some of the more desirable characteristics include: drought resistance, dark green color, rate of establishment, and response to fertilizer and mowing. a There is no one grass seed that exhibits all these characteristics, and consequently various combinations of grass seeds are used. These blends, mixtures of Bluegrasses, Fine Fescues, Rye grasses and others are sold according to their responsiveness to weather conditions and intended use. Based on these two factors, a major sod producer in Oregon developed four specific blends: Redeturf Merion Manhattan Blend which contains percent Manhattan Ryegrass and percent Merion Bluegrass or other superior varieties of Fylking; Redeturf Polo Blend which contains percent Manhattan Ryegrass, percent Improved Bluegrasses consisting of equal parts of Merion, Park and Fylking and percent Pennlawn Fine Fescue; Redeturf 40 Custom Blend #1 which contains 33-1/3 percent Jamestown Creeping Red Fescue, 33-1/3 percent Merion Bluegrass and 33-1/3 Fylking Bluegrass; and Redeturf Blu which contains two or more varieties of improved Bluegrasses, such as Merion and Fylking. A more recent trend, however, is to develop one or two major blends. Farm Procedures Before the grass seeds are planted, the soil is mulched, fertilized and watered. The mulching is done by using a rototiller or a similar machine which allows for aeration and the incorporation of fertilizer into the soil. Fertilization occurs either through the irrigation system or by surface application. A good drainage system is desirable because of frequent watering. Both fertilization and water schedules are determined by weather conditions. After the seeds have been planted, usually between early April and the middle of September, the sod begins to mature and maintenance is required. These maintenance procedures involve water, fertilizing, mowing, and spraying. In eighteen months, the sod is ready to be harvested. It is cut into thin slabs to prevent a loss of top soil. The amount of soil that is lost, however, causes little damage to the farmland according to turf specialists and agriculturists who suggest that soil nutrients are added back through the fertilization process. 9 The slabs are then loaded either in a doubled or rolled over form onto a wooden pallet and transported by a forklift onto a large truck. When the sod arrives at its destination, it is laid as soon as possible usually by a landscaper.

5 TURFGRASSES IN OREGON: BY ell M AT I C Z 0 N E SAN D USE miles D f N ZONES A) Coastal Zone B) Willamette Valley C) Southern Oregon Zone D) Central and Eastern Oregon Zone Turfgrass Distribution Redeturf Custom Blend #1: Used in areas of partial shade to full sun for medium traffic uses such as industrial or home lawns. CLIMATIC ZONES: A,B,C and D. Redeturf Merion-Manhattan Blend: Used in areas of moderate shade to full sun for heavy use such as atheletic fields, etc. CLIMATIC ZONES: Band C. Redeturf Polo Blend: Used in areas of moderate shade to full sun for heavy use such as playfields, parks, etc. CLIMATIC ZONES: A,B,C and D. Redeturf Blu: Used in full sun areas for both heavy and medium use. For playing fields in Zone D only. CLIMATIC ZONES: Band D. Source: Adapted from Redeturf Information Bulletin No. 75 January, 'b/j

6 Costs to the Sod Farmer The average costs per acre/harvest of the sod farmer in Oregon are indicated below. These figures were obtained by interviewing the two sod producers in Oregon and averaging their costs for an acre by an eighteen month period, the amount of time required for one harvest. The individual costs for each farmer varied for different reasons, but primari Iy because of the locational factor and the size of the farm operation. For example, one farmer paid higher land taxes because he lived closer to Portland. One farmer also grew only turf, while the other produced commercial sod and other crops, including grass seed. But when items of cost were totaled for each farmer, they were similar. Income An acre provides approximately 40,000 sq. ft. of sod. About ninty-five percent of this amount is sold wholesale and five percent sells at retai I. The prices for wholesale and retail vary according to distance from the farm and the amount of sod produced, but usually the farmer receives an average price multiplied by the amount of square feet per acre/harvest. The farmer's net profit is $ per acre/harvest, but a harvest is taken every eighteen months. Therefore, on a three year basis, the sod farmer makes annually about $ per acre. Employment in Sod Farms The sod industry in Oregon employs about forty people, mostly men except for office staff. The employment rate fluctuates depending upon the season and the demand for the sod. Most employees are machine operators, mechanics and truck drivers, with about a third actually employed in preparing, maintaining and harvesting the.sod. MAJOR COSTS OF THE SOD FARMER 10 Items Land (including interest and taxes) Seed (about 100 Ibs. per acre) Irrigation (application and equipment) Preparation for planting (includes fumigation on a ten year basis) Spraying (chemicals) Fertilizer (1600 Ibs. ammonium nitrate, 500 Ibs. Triple 14, 4000 Ibs. lime) Machinery Transportation of Sod to Customer Maintenance (mowing and irrigation) Harvesting Merchandising (sales, advertising, promotion, bookkeeping) Average Cost per acre/harvest $ ,

7 I. il e s e.r- 0 is d 0 n y e e v d Wholesale and Retail Sod Prices Wholesale All Blends 10,000' 4,000' Under Per Sq. Ft. Over 10,000' to 4,000' to 1,000' 1,000' Farm Pick-up 9c 9-1/2c 9-3/ 4c 1Oc Portland Salem 9-1 / 2c 1Oc 10-1/ 2c 12-1/ 2c Vancouver Albany Eugene 9-1 / 2c 10-1/2c 11c 13c Corvallis Volume Discount over Deduct 1/2c / sq. ft. from above prices. 50,000 Volume Discount over Deduct.01c / sq. ft. from above prices. 100,000 Fertil izer ( ) each Retail 40 and over 4.50 each Delivered Price All Blends Portland Vancouver Salem Eugene Fertil izer Under 1,000 Ft. 18c 18-1/ 2c 19c 19-1/ 2c ( ) sq. ft sq. ft. or more 16c 15c 16-1/2c 15-1/ 2c 17c 16c 17-1/ 2c 16-1/ 2c # bag Source: From Information Bulletins, Wholesale and Retain Price List of Redeturf Inc., Distribution of Sod Sod farms in Oregon are located in Albany, Hubbard and Silverton, areas all within about a fifty mile radius of Portland's metropolitan area. Over two-thirds of the sod is sold between the months of May and October because of favorable weather conditions. Approximately 70 percent of the sales are within the Portland area, 20 percent in other parts of the state, and 10 percent in California, Washington and Arizona. The use of the sod from these sales varies, with about 70 percent used for residential areas, 12.5 percent used for recreation, 6.5 percent used for freeways and highway medians, and 11.5 percent for industrial parks and other uses. 43

8 THE FUTURE OF THE SOD INDUSTRY IN OREGON A future growth pattern of the sod industry in Oregon may be suggested by examining two factors. One is the production trends of past years, while the other factor is the farmers' projections of growth sectors in their markets. Production Trends The annual sod production in 1968 was about 1,000,000 square feet or twenty-si x acres, with an average price of f ive cents per square foot and a gross value of about $50,000. As the price increased to an average of seven cents per square foot in 1970, the gross value rose to $191, with an annual production of sixty-eight acres. From 1968 to 1970 the gross value increased nearly 400 percent and the acreage more than doubled. In 1972 the annual sod production rose to 182 acres with a gross value of $643,240. In 1973, Oregon grew about 600 acres of sod. Farmers' Projections of Growth Sectors The sod producers in Oregon project a percent annual increase in production for the next several years. The farmers project that sales to recreational areas, industries and freeway projects will increase about five to ten percent annually with residential lawns accounting for the remainder of the increase. The sod industry of Oregon will be slow in developing to the status of other producers. Grass grows easily for most homeowners in the most important grass seed producing region of the world. Most residential lots include several thousand square feet, so sod costs are high. FOOTNOTES (1) From an interview with Dr. Norman Goetze, Professor of Agronomy at O regon State University. Also, see j ames B. Beard, Turfgrass : Science and Culture (New jersey : Prentice-Hall Inc, 1973) pp. 1-15, for further information on the development of the turf industry. (2) james B. Beard, Turfgrass: Science and Culture (New jersey : Prentice-Hall Inc., 1973) p. 2 (3) From an interview with Mr. Richard jenks, a sod producer in O regon. (4) From an interview w ith Dr. Goetze. (5) From an interview with Mr. Paul jenson, another sod producer in Oregon. (6) From an interview w ith Mr. Ri chard jenks. (7) This figure was obtained by calling several landscapers in Corvall is, O regon and asking them to give estimates for seed ing a 1,000 sq. ft. area. Estimates ranged between 10 and 12 cents per square foot. The landscapers also indicated they could not make an accurate pred iction without seei ng the area. (8) Bea rd, Op. Cit. (9) From an interview with Dr. Goetze and also Dale W. Stuart, Turf Specialist, Oregon State Department of Agriculture. (10) These costs were affirmed by Dr. Goetze. 44