History of Turfgrass Production in Florida



		Ralph W. White Turfgrass Management Consultants, 2880 Dead River Road, Tavares, FL 32778 and Philip Busey University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, 3205 College Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

	In scarcely a year we will be begin the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Enlow and Stokes' *Lawns in Florida*, the starting point for organized turf research and education in Florida. Considering the dearth of prior information on warm-season turfgrasses, this document is remarkable. What a nice celebration to ring in the next millenium of turfgrass in Florida!
	Introduction - Early Years - 1940's - 1950's - 1960's - 1970's - 1980's - Conclusion - Literature Cited
	(text from White, R. W. and P. Busey. 1987. History of turfgrass production in Florida. Proc. Florida State Hort. Soc. 100:167-174.)
	Abstract. The earliest recollections of commercial sod in Florida are from the 1920's, but there is evidence of St. Augustinegrass planting in 1880. Turfgrass producers in Florida developed technology to solve the cultural requirements of vegetatively propagated grasses, their pest problems, and the market demands of the peninsula. New ways of harvesting and packaging the cut sod product were improvised. New varieties of St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrum secundatum [Walt.] Kuntze) and bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) were developed. Other species (e.g., bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Flugge, carpetgrass, Axonopus affinis Chase, centipedegrass, Eremochloa ophiuroides [Munro] Hack.; siltgrass, Paspalum distichum L.; and zoysiagrasses, Zoysia spp.) were developed into marketable products, and other innovations were made by Florida turfgrass producers. The turfgrass industry in Florida has grown to a $100 million industry which employs several thousand persons. The product of this industry is managed in urban lawns, sports areas, and roadsides, across 1.5 million acres of Florida. In addition to its economic contributions, turfgrass production contributes to the Florida environment, by providing safe, sanitary, outdoor play areas for children and grownups, by providing a cover for conserving the soil, filtering pollutants, moderating temperatures, and serving as a palette for other landscape designs. Turfgrass production had an exciting beginning in Florida. Unique soil and climatic conditions were encountered by early pioneers, necessitating special ways of adapting to the stresses. We study the history of this industry for two reasons: This is an important chapter in the history of the United States, in which brave and creative men and women constantly set about trying to think of a better way of doing something. The history of turfgrass production in Florida illuminates the nature of our grasses and the ways to manage them.
	Florida turfgrass production is an exciting experience that has occurred almost without written recognition. We have been fortunate to have been able to share with the experiences of a few of the industry leaders. Some, such as Jim Ousley and Jimmy Blackledge, have passed away; others, such as Ralph Hammer, Arthur Wolf, and Roy Bair, have sold their farms and retired, while still others, such as Walt Pursley, are still active and as enthusiastic as ever. They are, of course, but a few a many men and women who contributed to a discovery of the method of production and marketing of certain vegetatively propagated grasses, and the control of water and pests in the unique soils and climate of the Florida peninsula. The authors express their sincere thanks and admiration to turfgrass leaders who have contributed information, including Dr. Roy Bair, Mr. Ed Davis, Mr. Ralph Hammer, Mr. Elmer Kirkland, and Mr. Arthur Wolf.
	Introduction - Early Years - 1940's - 1950's - 1960's - 1970's - 1980's - Conclusion - Literature Cited

13 November 1997