You look forward to getting out of town to relax on your summer vacation, but it’s important not to neglect your lawn’s health while you’re away. With a little planning and preparation, you can ensure your Arizona and California lawn stays vibrant and healthy even during your absence.

1. Mowing and Trimming: Before leaving for your vacation, make sure to mow your lawn to an appropriate height. Cutting it slightly shorter than usual will help maintain its appearance for a longer period. Trim the edges to give your lawn a neat and well-maintained look.
2. Watering: Proper watering is crucial for the health of your lawn. If you’re going away for a short trip (up to a week), deep watering just before leaving should be sufficient. However, for longer vacations, consider these options:

a. Automatic Sprinkler System: Install an automatic sprinkler system or set up timers to ensure your lawn receives adequate water. Adjust the settings based on your lawn’s needs and local watering regulations.

b. Seek Help from a Neighbor or Friend: Request a trusted neighbor or friend to water your lawn while you’re away. Provide them with clear instructions on when and how much to water and show them how to operate your irrigation system if necessary.

c. Slow-Release Watering Methods: Consider using slow-release watering methods, such as drip irrigation or soaker hoses, which gradually provide water to your lawn over an extended period. These methods can minimize water wastage and keep your lawn hydrated.

3. Weed Control: Weeds can quickly invade your lawn and compete with grass for nutrients and sunlight. Prior to your vacation, apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed growth. Alternatively, hire a professional lawn care service to manage weed control in your absence.
4. Fertilization: Proper fertilization promotes healthy grass growth and resilience. Apply a slow-release fertilizer a few days before your departure to ensure your lawn receives essential nutrients throughout your vacation. This will help maintain its health and vigor.
5. Arrange for Lawn Care Services: Consider hiring professional lawn care services to take care of your lawn while you’re away. They can handle tasks such as mowing, watering, fertilizing, and weed control. Discuss your requirements and schedule with the service provider to ensure your lawn receives the necessary attention.
6. Mulch Beds and Landscaping: If you have mulch beds or other landscaping features, ensure they are well-maintained before leaving. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weed growth, so replenish mulch layers if necessary. Trim any overhanging branches that could potentially shade or damage your lawn.
7. Secure Outdoor Items: Before leaving, secure any outdoor furniture, toys, or equipment that may obstruct or damage your lawn during strong winds or storms. Store them safely or anchor them down to prevent them from causing damage.

By following these tips and making suitable arrangements, you can maintain a healthy lawn even while you’re on vacation. Planning ahead and enlisting the help of professionals or trusted neighbors will ensure that your lawn stays vibrant, weed-free, and well-hydrated during your time away. Return from your vacation to a lush, beautiful lawn that enhances the overall appeal of your home.

After more than three decades of supplying natural grass to sports facilities, landscapers, golf courses, cities, parks, and homeowners, West Coast Turf has become the Official Sod Supplier of the Rose Bowl Stadium.

“Our first job at the Rose Bowl was providing some sod for Super Bowl XVII over 30 years ago,” said West Coast Turf’s marketing director, Danielle Scardino. “After establishing a relationship and trust with the outcome of that job, we haven’t looked back. Our company has been involved in every Rose Bowl Game® and has provided almost every field at the stadium since. We’ve worked closely with the Turf Superintendent to ensure they are getting exactly what they want and expect on the field—they are very ‘hands on.’ The result has been pretty much perfection.”

The Rose Bowl Stadium is sodded with grass grown in the Coachella Valley near West Coast Turf’s Palm Desert, CA, headquarters.

“The Rose Bowl field is an iconic American sports field, and one of the greatest sports venues in the world. We are honored to become official partners,” said Scardino.

About West Coast Turf

West Coast Turf is a full-service sod company providing natural grass, field resurfacing, stolonization and hydroseeding services. Their main office is in Palm Desert, CA, and have additional offices in Scottsdale, AZ; Livingston, CA; Patterson, CA; Winchester, CA; and San Marcos, CA. West Coast Turf grows more than 30 varieties of grass and is the West’s largest grower of drought tolerant warm season turfgrasses.

Other clients include:

• Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland A’s, and San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball.
• San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League.
• The National Football League for nine Super Bowls.
• The San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Austin FC, LAFC and Phoenix Rising FC soccer clubs.
• The Los Angeles Coliseum, Stanford Stadium and Sun Devil Stadium college football fields.

For more information about West Coast Turf, visit www.westcoastturf.com.

To join social media conversation, visit West Coast Turf on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @WestCoastTurf.

About the Rose Bowl Stadium

The Rose Bowl Stadium is a National Historic Landmark built in 1922 and known around the world. The Rose Bowl has earned its world-class reputation by hosting five NFL Super Bowl games, the 1984 Olympic Soccer matches, the 1994 Men’s World Cup, the 1999 Women’s World Cup, four BCS National College Football Championship Games and the College Football Playoff Semifinal Game.

The Rose Bowl is the proud home of the annual Rose Bowl Game®, UCLA Bruins Football, world-class concerts, International and Premier League soccer matches, music festivals, community events, AmericaFest 4th of July Celebration, and the World’s Largest Flea Market.

WEST COAST TURF LAUNCHES “READY PLAY GRASS®”

West Coast Turf’s Sod Grown on Plastic is Available for Instant Use

Palm Desert, CA……West Coast Turf is introducing their new line of Ready Play Grass® natural grass sod grown on plastic for instant use.

“We have been growing sod on plastic for several years,” said West Coast Turf’s Arizona operations general manager, Jay Danek.  “We are confident in the product we’ve developed over that time and wanted to bring Ready Play Grass to a bigger market.  There is a need for a grass surface that can be used right away.”    

“The reason its grown on plastic is for the strength of the plant itself,” Danek explains. “Similar to when you buy a plant at a nursery where the roots are bound in a ball since they can’t go through the plastic. It makes the strength of the sod three to four times of what a normal sod field is by becoming root-bound. The intertwining roots develop a tight mat of rhizomes to firm up the surface, giving it a sturdy base of strength. It weighs about 18 pounds per square foot and can be grown up to 2 inches thick.  After the sod is put down, it is not going anywhere.  You can play on it instantly. Because we don’t cut the roots, there is no shock factor to the grass and it is able to start rooting immediately—although it doesn’t have to be rooted for use.”

“We start off with a sod product that has been through its growing cycle of anywhere from 8 to 12 months, and then another 6 to 15 months growing on the plastic. We grow it with sod strength and weight in mind so there is no movement. Our proprietary harvest technique allows for sharp and tight seams so the rolls mesh together perfectly,” Danek said.

Ready Play Grass is ideal for sports fields, golf course tees and driving ranges, and on top of artificial turf fields when a temporary natural grass field is required. 

About West Coast Turf

West Coast Turf is a full-service sod company providing natural grass, field resurfacing, stolonization and hydroseeding services. Their main office is in Palm Desert, CA, and have additional offices in Scottsdale, AZ; Livingston, CA; Patterson, CA; Winchester, CA; and San Marcos, CA. West Coast Turf grows more than 30 varieties of grass, and is the West’s largest grower of drought tolerant warm season turfgrasses. 

Clients include: 

• Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland A’s, and San Francisco Giants in Major League Baseball.
• San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. 
• The National Football League for nine Super Bowls.
• The San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, LAFC and Phoenix Rising FC soccer clubs.
• The Los Angeles Coliseum, Stanford Stadium and Sun Devil Stadium college football fields.
• The Riviera, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Torrey Pines, Valley Club of Montecito, Quarry at La Quinta, Vintage Club, Lahontan, The Estancia Club, TPC Scottsdale, and The Summit Club golf clubs.

For more information about West Coast Turf, visit www.westcoastturf.com. 

To join social media conversation, visit West Coast Turf on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @WestCoastTurf. 

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about getting your grass ready for the hot, dry desert weather. Bermudagrass and paspalum are popular choices for homeowners in these desert regions because of their ability to tolerate the extreme heat and drought conditions. Due to those extreme conditions, your grass needs proper care and attention to thrive during the summer season (which lasts a lot longer here than most places!).

Here are some tips to help you get you summer-ready:

1. Watering: As the temperatures rise, your sod will require more water to stay healthy. However, it’s important to avoid over-watering, which can lead to root rot and other issues. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions.

2. Fertilizing: Fertilizing your desert grass during the summer months can help it stay healthy and green. However, it’s important to use a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for desert grasses. This type of fertilizer is designed to provide the nutrients your grass needs to thrive in the hot and dry conditions of the desert.

3. Mowing: During the summer months, you should raise the blade on your lawnmower to a higher setting to help your desert grass retain moisture. It’s also important to avoid cutting your grass too short, as this can stress the plant and make it more susceptible to disease and pests.

4. Weeding: Weeds can compete with your desert grass for water and nutrients, so it’s important to keep your lawn weed-free. You can use a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from germinating, or you can manually pull them out as soon as you spot them.

5. Aeration: Aeration can help improve the health of your desert grass by allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the soil. You can use a garden fork or a lawn aerator to create small holes in the soil, which will help improve drainage and promote root growth.

6. Pest control: During the summer months, your desert grass may be susceptible to pests such as aphids, mites, and grasshoppers. You can use natural pest control methods such as neem oil or insecticidal soap to keep these pests at bay.

Getting your desert grass summer ready requires proper care and attention. By following these tips, you can help your grass stay healthy and green during the hot and dry summer months. With a little bit of effort, you can enjoy a beautiful and lush lawn all season long! For more information visit our website: https://www.westcoastturf.com/

The excitement surrounding the Super Bowl each year centers around the two teams playing each other. We know where the game is being played, but not always what exactly they’re playing on. West Coast Turf is honored to provide the turf for our 9^th time, this year at Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The turf the teams play on is just as important to the game as whether the kicker gets the ball between the uprights and over the crossbar or biffs it and it goes wide right. Why? Let us tell you the part turf plays. 

Imagine Travis Kelce sliding past the defense into touchdown range. But his foot doesn’t get a good enough grip, there’s loose dirt and not healthy, lush grass. He loses his balance, doesn’t get the touchdown. Or worse, he twists his ankle and is out for the rest of the game. This is when you realize how crucial a roll the right turf plays in the Big Game. 

When the Super Bowl is played on natural grass, the NFL replaces the field. The practice started after Super Bowl XXVII at the Rose Bowl (Cowboys 52, Bills 17 — the Leon Lett game). Pasadena had been soaked with 16 inches of rain that January — nearly four times the average — and even with tarping, the NFL had to patch ruined pieces of the field. After that, the NFL started replacing the turf with sod grown especially for the game. That leaves just four or five weeks to tear out the old turf and install the new turf. There’s no grow-in time and it has to be ready to go. West Coast Turf holds the distinction of being unrivaled when it comes to growing Super Bowl quality grass. 

A football field takes up about an acre and a third of grass, or about 58,000 square feet. Including extra turf for sideline areas, and a little set aside for patches on game day, West Coast Turf harvested 75,000 square feet for the Super Bowl V field at Levi’s Stadium. On moving day, workers cut it into 40-by-3 1/2-foot strips. They rolled up each strip and ended up with 536 rolls, each one weighing 2,500 pounds. They loaded those onto 24 trucks and took them to Levi’s. The turf was off the ground for about four hours before being installed at the stadium. Special machines cut it and roll it up and lay it back down, meshing the pieces together.

So when you’re watching the big game on Sunday, if you don’t notice the turf that means we’ve done our job and all is working as it’s supposed to. Whether you’re rooting for the Eagles or the Chiefs, let’s all root for the turf. Visit our website for more information: https://www.westcoastturf.com/ 

Temperatures are still warm in Southern California and Arizona, but fall is fast approaching. It’s time to start planning for how to prepare your lawn for the new season. Once temperatures do cool down, it’s the perfect time for grass to recover and prepare itself for winter. Here are our tips for overseeding your grass for fall:

First things first, when to start overseeding. According to our experts, the ideal time for overseeding is when nighttime temperatures get down lower, like in the 60s. Typically, this happens in October. 

Next, knowing how low you should scalp your grass prior to overseeding. The height of your grass isn’t the important issue as much as opening the turf canopy. If you mow the grass shorter, the turf canopy will be tighter, which will result in the need to verticut more aggressively. The standard recommendation is to not cut the grass lower than half an inch. If you scalp the sod too low, you will cause long-term problems to the grass.

Many people ask if it’s ok to use annual ryegrass, rather than perennial ryegrass. Annual ryegrass has a much lower cost than perennial ryegrass but it’s not ideal for a winter overseed. If you use annual ryegrass, you will get a thinner grass blade and a slightly chlorotic look compared to perennial ryegrass. It also grows much taller (and faster) than perennial ryegrass which results in more frequent mowing. This isn’t where to cut costs! Stick to perennial ryegrass for optimal winter overseeding.

Choosing the right seed is important. It’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, but it’s a bad idea. Seed can contain a variety of weed seeds, off types, and poor germination rates, so you need to be careful. We recommend a perennial ryegrass with zero percent weed seed, 90% or more germination, and very little inert matter.  

Sprinkler systems vary, so some generic advice is that the important thing is to keep the seed wet. This usually consists of 3-4 cycles for around 5-10 minutes per cycle. The water doesn’t need to puddle or saturate the ground, simply keep the seed wet. Watch your sprinklers and run the first couple cycles to check coverage and to keep it from puddling.

In Arizona, you can buy the same seed we use on the farm. We sell the same seed we overseed our fields with at our farm in Scottsdale and you can call our office at (888) 893-8873 to order.Currently in Arizona, overseeded sod will be available on October 12th and California overseeded sod will be ready October 26th.

If you have any questions about anything sod related, click the “Ask Jay” button at the top right.

Happy overseeding!

-Jay

Photo credit: Ballparks of Baseball

When you’re watching the 2022 MLB All-Star game on Tuesday, July 19, you’ll also be watching West Coast Turf in action. How is that? Well, for the 4^th time, West Coast Turf will be the surface for the All-Star game (held this year at Dodger Stadium). 

Our Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass is currently at not only Dodger Stadium, but also Angel Stadium, and Dignity Health Sports Park, the home of the L.A. Galaxy and UC San Diego’s Triton Soccer Field. This particular turf is the grass of choice for sports fields. There are a lot of reasons for this, one being its low water use. It’s also resistant to winterkill, has characteristics of improved tolerance to wear, salt, and to short mowing heights. Importantly for Southern California, this grass is averse to drought. Its low vertical growth makes it the ideal choice for sports turf, golf courses, and landscape applications. It’s also the perfect choice for home lawns as well, since it’s the most drought-tolerant variety we’ve seen. You can have this exact same grass for your home field! 

Tahoma 31 bermudagrass is a variety of grass that was developed by leading turf scientists at Oklahoma State University. It derives its name from the Native American word, Tahoma, which means “frozen in water”. In addition to the above-mentioned, Tahoma 31 is also used as the turf for Pepperdine Soccer, El Caballero Country Club, Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Pro Bowl Practice Field 2022, Churchill Downs “Matt Winn Turf Course.” Visit westcoastturf.com for more information.

Tahoma 31 Bermuda (westcoastturf.com)

What does West Coast Turf have to do with Odell Beckham, Jr? A lot, actually. Most importantly, if OBJ had been playing on our natural grass, he may not have been sidelined for half of the Super Bowl game. Although United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, former home of the Rams, is our client, the Rams now play at Sofi Stadium, which uses artificial turf. Something as simple as what’s beneath your feet can be crucial to an NFL player’s livelihood. 

In a recent analysis, former NFL player, Chris Simms, says: “Can we get rid of field turf in football? Owners don’t want to spend money on anything. But owners, you will save so much money [if you have natural grass]. You won’t have to sign extra players on your roster. Maybe you’ll have to take care of the grass and cut the lawn, but can we get grass fields in every stadium? The great soccer players in Europe won’t even play – it’s in their contract – they won’t even play on field turf. We are ruining people’s careers. None of the players like to play on field turf over grass, none.”

Simms expressed frustration as a former NFL player and remembered when he played that “If we had a day that we were going to go on field turf, the players hated it. Especially the linemen. It feels different. There’s less give in the ground when you make cuts. The cuts can be very jarring, there is no give. That cleat gets in there and gets stuck. The rubber sends forces into your feet, legs, knees. You’re more tired.”

He makes many good points. NFL owners who have invested in their players don’t have their own interests at heart when they cut corners and use artificial turf. Any of their starting players can much more easily get injured on turf, possibly ending their season or career. West Coast Turf counts among our clients many sports fields in Major League Baseball, National Football League, Major League Soccer, College Football and many more and have a long history of providing natural turf to many sporting facilities. For more information visit our website at westcoastturf.com.

The weather stays relatively pleasant and sunny in desert landscapes in Southern California and Arizona, even in the winter. But once the suns dips down, temperatures drop down drastically. What can you do to keep your natural lawn looking beautiful in the colder months? Here are some tips.

Keep mowing!

Mowing your grass can sometimes fall by the wayside during the winter months. It’s recommended that you follow a semi-regular schedule and continue to mow the grass until you see the growth slow. A good rule of thumb is to keep your grass around 2 to 2.5 inches tall throughout the autumn months, since the grass could start to mat above 3 inches. It’s important to keep it the right length, since overgrowth can cause mold or diseases, and cutting it too short hinders the grass’s ability to to store food for growth. 

Sustain Growth by Watering

Even though the temperatures are cooler and there is more precipitation this time of year, it’s still important to continue to water your natural grass. Following a consistent watering schedule encourages growth. Do make sure to adjust your automatic sprinklers so they don’t over-irrigate and cause fungal growth.

Don’t forget to weed in the winter!

Weeding may seem like more of a warm weather chore, but it’s just as important to keep up with it in the winter. 

West Coast Turf is the expert on all things grass. Let us know what questions you have about keeping your natural turf looking amazing! Visit our website at www.westcoastturf.com.

When you think of the deadliest animal in the world, what pops into your mind? Crocodiles, hippos, one of the big cats…great guesses, but all of them are wrong. It’s actually…the mosquito. This fingernail-sized pest can carry Zika virus, Yellow fever, West Nile virus, and worst of all, Malaria. Much of the reported incidents of that is in very hot, humid regions on other continents. But we do get mosquitoes in the hot, dry desert climates of Arizona and California. So how can you enjoy your beautiful natural sod lawn without getting bitten? Here are a few ways.

1. Citronella candles

These citrus/floral smelling candles are not only great for decoration, they can help keep mosquitoes away. These are most effective in an environment where the air is still – a covered patio is the perfect location. Always remember to extinguish them!

2. Get rid of any standing water

Mosquitoes love standing water. In fact, it’s where they reproduce. Make sure to empty out anything that catches water – wheelbarrows, outdoor water toys, as well as gutters and drain lines. 

3. Keep your yard under control

This is an important one! Especially in warmer areas, mosquitoes prefer cooler areas in the shade. Use a lawnmower or a string trimmer to cut back brush, tree limbs, and high grass. Making sure any tall grass is trimmed and not creating shadows will make your grass lawn much less appealing to mosquitoes. This is not only good for keeping unwanted pests away, but is also good for your natural sod lawn in general. 

West Coast Turf is the leader for California and Arizona products. Please contact us to learn more about what we can do for you and your property. 

Visit us online at: https://www.westcoastturf.com