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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLake Elmo Turfgrass MixturesLake Elmo - Lawn water conservation solutions Identify optimum mixtures for Twin Cities lawns Gary Deters Lawn Water Conservation Educator Introduction We know there are lawn seed mixtures better for lawn water conservation, but residents struggle to find and use them Too much use of Kentucky bluegrass sod, which requires long-term high watering needs to be functional and aesthetically pleasing There are significant barriers to using the most well-adapted turfgrasses on Twin Cities lawns Low-input mixture Why are there barriers? Expectations - Homeowners often prefer the lush, green look of Kentucky bluegrass, but it requires a lot of water and fertilizer to look “good” Resistant to change - General resistance to changing lawn care practices Availability - Easy access to Kentucky bluegrass sod and a limited retail presence for drought-tolerant grass seed mixtures Lack of public awareness - Homeowners might not be fully aware of the benefits of drought-tolerant turfgrasses, such as reduced water needs Project overview We are going to establish multi-species mixture studies at 4 metro sites in the summer of 2025 Cultivars for each species will be selected based on relevant performance data We will work with the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) and turfgrass seed vendors to develop a process to recommend best lawn water conservation species mixtures for Twin Cities lawns Seed vendors will be able to use approved cultivars (from other related trials) to fulfill mixture requirements Benefits to the Lake Elmo and the Twin Cities Homeowners will be more easily able to access better turfgrass seed mixtures for their lawns Cities could recommend new lawns only use these mixtures, which will save water Similar to UMN research for MnDOT that led to new roadside turfgrass seed mixture recommendations Research plots on UMN campus Establishing the site We will pay for water and hookups needed for fire hydrant conversion Use a seeding blanket to help hold moisture and increase establishment rate and prevent washouts Mowing and maintenance - City take over after year 1? Seeding blanket How will the site get watered? We will use modular irrigation system Complete with rain sensor MP rotator nozzles which are EPA WaterSense approved Lower water-use nozzle Water several times a day during initial establishment for optimal seed germination Irrigation will not be used once established during years 2026-27 Irrigation set-up Establishing a Research Site for Drought-Tolerant Turfgrass Mixtures Next to the Lake Elmo water tower There is access to the site for public viewing, if needed Access to water for the establishment of the plots Lake Elmo is a city with water concerns, so it would be good to demonstrate the most well-adapted grasses Research site Timeline - With access agreement approved 2025 - Year 1 - Summer/Fall - Establish the turfgrass mixture plots Seed around August 15th 2026 - Year 2 - Maintenance and data collection 2027 - Year 3 - Maintenance and data collection 2028 and beyond - either return the site to original or keep plots for continuous research (in consultation with the city) Challenges: Watering restrictions and need for an extension We are requesting a waiver to water new seed and beyond the initial 15 days Establishing a lawn from seed often requires more than 15 days because not all seed germinates and establishes at the same pace Could lead to a failure due to lack of water on a hot, windy day with immature seedlings Once this site is established no irrigation will be used to determine the best performing mixtures Seeding failure Signage - if desired We can post signage explaining the project to the public and create a landing page for homeowners to learn about drought tolerant grasses and water conservation. Signage example Expected outcomes because of the mixture research Water conservation - Overall less water used with new mixtures Cost savings - for residents and city infrastructure Environmental impact - less watering, less runoff and pollution Aesthetic appeal - Attractive lawns with less water Educational value - Opportunities for community education on using lower input grasses Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass mixture study Thank you!