Curt's Corner: The versatility of bluegrass

There have been several questions about the rationale of using bluegrass sod at the new Fifth Street bridge overpass. Other than the areas in the swale that appear “burned,” this new addition to our community does look very nice.

We live in a desert and we are trying to teach local residents how to conserve and use water wisely. Is the installation of bluegrass sod in this area a wise use of water? Drought studies have taught us that Kentucky bluegrass is a drought-tolerant grass capable of going dormant for months and yet recovering with an autumn shower. We also know the new hybrid bluegrasses are even more drought tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass.

Two excellent very drought-tolerant, warm-season cultivars of zoysiagrass do exceptionally well in the Grand Junction area. Zenith and compadre zoysiagrass have been in our test plots at the Mesa County Fairgrounds for five years and do excellently. Was one of the Texas/Kentucky bluegrass hybrids specified for the Fifth Street bridge? I’m not sure. Or why wasn’t one of the new zoysiagrasses used instead of bluegrass? For those answers, you will need to ask those in charge.
Several people have commented the Fifth Street bridge area would have been an excellent spot to put in a collection of xeric plants. That option may not have been considered due to the fact that grass is much easier to maintain. I’m glad real sod was used at that location instead of artificial turf, especially with the CDC Health Advisory concerning the lead content of some artificial grasses.

In case you haven’t heard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is concerned about high lead levels in artificial turf fibers. Their advisory indicates that artificial turf made of nylon or nylon/polyethylene blend fibers releases lead as they are exposed to the weather, abraded, faded or broken.

CDC recommends the testing of artificial turf with fibers that are abraded, faded or broken, or contains visible dust and is made from nylon or nylon-blend fibers. Fields need to be routinely monitored for wear and dust generation. Replacing fields as soon as they are worn and dusty is a precautionary recommendation.

Since children ages 6 and younger are most susceptible to lead’s harmful health effects, CDC recommends the following: After playing on the field, aggressively wash the child’s hands and body for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water; as soon as possible remove and turn clothes worn on the field inside out to avoid tracking contaminated dust to other places. Clothes, blankets and other items used on the field should be washed separately from other items and shoes worn on the field should be left outside; avoid eating or drinking on the field and avoid drinking containers contaminated with dust from the field. If the artificial turf is made with only polyethylene fibers these warnings do not apply.

While I have addressed athletic fields the same precautions should be taken if you have artificial turf on your patio, in your recreation room or any other place around or in your home.

I’m glad we do not have any artificial turf trials at the Mesa County Arboretum. We do have real grass of the ornamental and sod type. We also are using a lot of trees, shrubs and perennial flowers in these plantings. Thanks to Jim Crook and Donna Spencer of Bee Yard Gardens in Crawford, we have close to a thousand pots of flowers to plant at the Arboretum. If you have several hours you could devote to helping us plant, give us a call at 244-1834. If you are a novice or professional gardener, we won’t turn down an offer for assistance at the Arboretum.

Dr. Curtis E. Swift is the area horticulture agent with the CSU Extension. Reach him at Curt.Swift@mesacounty.us. or visit WesternSlopeGardening.org.