Turf grass, especially in the Western U.S., is suffering due to drought, water restrictions and seed shortages. Horizon, a landscape and irrigation company that serves 12 states in the nation, particularly in the western and southern U.S., is offering solutions. Among them is Endurant Turf Colorants by Geoponics.
Horizon's agronomic product specialists saw the need for overseed alternatives in residential and commercial turf grass management, as well as for municipalities.
"Seed pricing is astronomical and the seed quality isn't good either," says John Holmquist of Horizon. "Seed quality isn't there. Quantity isn't there. And the price definitely isn't there," Holmquist exclaimed.
These rye grass seed shortages are in part caused by drought. This compounds challenges for turf grass growing this year. As many agronomists and turf grass managers look to overseed warm season grasses, such as bermuda, with cool season grasses, such as rye grass, the lack of seed and price of seed become a hurdle. Add the challenge to then water in that seed, and alternatives are needed more than ever.
Endurant provides a solution, says Holmquist. Users are able to cut their seed use in half and then apply Endurant turf colorant to supplement the seed application. With its natural tones and lasting binders, colorants last up to three months on dormant turf, so growers have a real tool in the shed to overcome the crisis. (This seed and colorant combination is called hybrid overseed and liquid overseed. Learn more here.)
"Endurant is great for golf, to make it playable and aesthetically pleasing for the golfer. Guys that normally overseed can't overseed right now," says Holmquist. (See the Endurant program for year round green golf here.)
It's equally helpful for the lawn care businesses, he adds.
"Every landscape maintenance company should have at least a gallon of Endurant on hand," he suggests. (For a year round Endurant program customizable for lawn care, click here.)
Furthermore, counties are turning off irrigation water for parks, in addition to reducing irrigation for residential and commercial usage in much of the Western U.S.
Sports fields, parks and rec, cemeteries' turf, they could all use Endurant for an inexpensive and immediate fix, says Holmquist. Endurant is great for event centers, wedding parties and homeowners, he adds. (For a program tailored for year round green on sports fields, customizable to your turf, see this Endurant Sports PDF.)
"A lot of people may not realize that professional sports fields are treated with Endurant colorants to get TV-ready. They look great. They have good agronomic practices and they are also painting the grass," he says.
"Endurant is clearly superior," says Holmquist. He notes the natural color and ease of use.
"The smiles and the sparkle that Endurant is putting out there is pretty cool," he says. "I can understand and appreciate the passion and pride that Geoponics and their people have in the Endurant product."
Finally, if Horizon is your nearest landscape supply provider, visit or contact them to see how Endurant Turf Colorants can help you overcome the water and seed crisis.