Why We’re Harvesting the First-Ever Certified Drought Tolerant Sod in BC

Here at Western Turf Farms, we believe that a move towards more environmentally-friendly sod is the right way to go. That’s why we’re excited to announce that we’ll be the first to grow and harvest 50 acres of the first-ever certified drought-tolerant sod in British Columbia.

What makes our sod drought-tolerant?

The sod blend is specifically formulated for Western Turf Farms by BrettYoung Seeds and consists of Perennial Ryegrass, Chewing Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass. We’re proud to say that it is certified by the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA).

TWCA is non-profit that non-profit organization that is committed to water conservation. They use a scientifically-based approach with a rigorous set of standards and testing protocols to qualify turfgrasses that demonstrate a statistically significant water saving potential over conventional varieties.

Having the TWCA certification means that our sod has met this strict set of standards and proven that it conserves water. BrettYoung has worked diligently with us to establish a successful drought tolerant turf crop and is thrilled by the outcome.

Why does drought tolerant sod matter in BC?

With the growing concern for depleting water resources, we are excited about the environmental benefits of our new drought tolerant sod blend.

Living on the beautiful West Coast, we experience various weather conditions that differ when you move towards the Interior. From rainy conditions to being arid, there are parts in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Okanagan that experience drier micro-climates. Choosing a grass that thrives in your specific climate condition is extremely important. However, with the unpredictable weather conditions, a drought-resistant grass for both cool and warm seasons is a great way to go.

The sod will require less water to stay green and has the ability to survive longer periods without watering, on average consuming 30-50% less water than typical turf varieties. That’s a substantial water-saving benefit for homeowners, municipalities, golf courses, and landscape projects, not to mention the environment.

Besides the water-saving benefits, this sod blend stays greener longer, and will recover faster from summer stress than any other sod, after just 1” of rain. It ultimately saves you money.

The case for a sustainable sod alternative

When turfgrass is installed, it helps to:

Absorb carbon
Produce oxygen
Cool the air
Improve air quality by trapping dust and other airborne particles
Absorb and filter stormwater and run-off from around buildings

Under stressful conditions like extremely hot or cool weather, the drought tolerant sod has an improved ability to tolerate, bounce back, perform the tasks above.

Like all plants, grasses rely on their extensive root systems to pull water from the soil surrounding them. However, when lawns are watered often, this actually prevents the grasses from growing extensive systems. They develop shallow root systems which require more frequent water.

The TWCA certified drought blend has a deeper root system which encourages the grasses to delve deeper to locate moisture and prevents it from drying out.