Naples Lawn Service Offers Endurant for Best Results

Agronomy Expert and Endurant User Shares How He Stays Top of Class

“The arms race of who is the best has changed over the past 10 years,” said Jeffrey Juchnowicz, owner of Terra Garden Solutions, a Naples, Florida-based business that provides fertilizer, pesticide, nutrient and chemical services for 8,500 home lawns in Collier and Lee counties. “It went from 'who has the best agronomic mind?' to 'who is using colorant, how early are they painting the grass, are they using Endurant and how often?'” Juchnowicz said. [caption id="attachment_1486" align="alignleft" width="375"] Terra Garden Solutions continues providing the best lawns in Naples and throughout Southwest Florida using Endurant lawn colorant.[/caption]

Why would anyone paint grass green?!

That’s a relatively common first question and reaction from people just learning about Endurant turf colorants. “When I learned about turf colorant, funny enough, it was a Facebook ad that popped up from Geoponics,” said Juchnowicz. “I did the haha react,” he said. Juchnowicz and his father are masters at caring for the now common Florida turfgrass species. They were among those to think, "only a novice would need a lawn colorant, right?" “Sure enough I looked into it. I was put into a situation that needed fast results. Fertilizer takes two weeks, but we have an event in three days,” said Juchnowicz. “I laughed again and messaged Geoponics,” he said. The property had super high pH soil that could not be amended. In a few days, the CEOs and other bigwigs would be doing their fall walk through, inspecting their developments of gated communities and shopping centers, including this property. Even a multigenerational turf professional like Juchnowicz felt the pressure. He went to Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply to pick up the Endurant turf colorant they had in stock and applied it to the property. “No one noticed and no one knew,” said Juchnowicz. “One day there was an issue and the next it was gone,” he said. [caption id="attachment_1488" align="alignleft" width="375"] Painting grass can minimize usage of other harsh chemicals, including fungicides, while providing greener grass all year long, which is one of the requests of high end Naples clients.[/caption]

Endurant or Other Colorants

There are many reasons why people choose Endurant specifically. Juchnowicz had his own reasons and among them was ensuring that grass was green, but not nearby pavers, driveways, sidewalks or garden features.   "Staining during mixing is really the biggest issue. You can throw it in the tank and if it kicks back at you. With Endurant, you can get a wet rag and wipe it off pavement right away. With other paints and colorant brands, as soon as it touches pavement, it gets into those creviees and we can’t get it off sometimes for over a year," he said. Juchnowicz tells several client stories, including one were a woman complained to him that a neighbor’s grass was greener than hers. Both lost chlorophyll naturally during the colder months. The neighbor's lawn lost color too, but it was painted and the color looked fake, he said. She didn’t believe him until he pointed out the marks on the pavers. “You can tell who’s using Endurant and who is not,” said Juchnowicz. Some are using indicator dye, some are using something so blue, it looks like pond colorant or lake dye, exclaimed Juchnowicz. And these are applied to high end properties in Naples’ Port Royal neighborhood. Juchnowicz was asked to make the house at the end of Port Charles look perfect for the owner, who was on his way home. Of the 60 houses or so on the street, about 15 were painted and most looked terrible, said Juchnowicz. “The one on the right looked like circus paint, fluorescent almost. The one on the left looked pale and patchy,” he said. “As you went down the street you could see all these different paints and dyes used. Then, you get to the one painted with Endurant and you see a natural green color,” he added. The owner was thrilled, saying, “it never looked so good.”

Usages for Endurant

There are two ways that Terra Garden Solutions uses Endurant, said Juchnowicz. First is that high pressure situation where you need results quickly. He often uses Endurant when something goes wrong to save someone else or to save himself. Endurant helps everyone keep their jobs as grass recovers from whatever is ailing it and maintains the healthy looking green color in the meantime. The second use of Endurant is the proactive approach, he said. Going forward, he plans to implement the second approach to minimize the occurrence of high pressure problems.  

Story from a Client: "Fire Them. The Grass Will Never Recover!"

“We got a call from a high end resident that a lawn company accidentally scalped her turf and she didn’t think it would recover. I know it will recover. She’s in her 80s and wants to fire the lawn company,” said Juchnowicz. He applied Endurant to get the grass green while it returned to perfect health. “In that situation, I saved not only the company I work with, but also my job. To use 10 gallons of water mixed in with Endurant to keep a high end client, it’s nominal,” he said.

Maintaining The Reputation as the Best in Naples with Endurant

Juchnowicz is not only a second generation Florida turf grass expert, he has been in the pest control and fertilizer business for 17 years and has owned his own company for 8 years. Terra Garden Solutions cares mostly for three species of grass: zoysia, seashore paspalum and St. Augustine. “In Naples, for the past seven years, my Zoysia has looked better in the winter than any other companies and I got a lot of business because of that. My father helped write the sod farm specs for how to grow zoysia down here,” said Juchnowicz. Then, one winter, someone else’s grass was looking greener, he said. It seemed impossible. He knew better than anyone how to care for zoysia, maintaining color without getting fungus and without going dormant. There was a turning point in landscaping when he saw that greener lawn. “I took it as a slight. They don’t know how to take care of zoysia, so they had to paint it. I thought they used it as a crutch,” he said. He laughed. But then he had a realization and soon a change of perspective. “It opens a door for clients who are demanding or for high end clientele who want specific results, period,” Juchnowicz said. It also helped him out of all those urgent situations, creating perfect grass in time for an event.

The Benefits of Endurant

Now, Terra Garden Solutions offers Endurant grass paint for clients' lawns, no extra charge. He minimized the fungicide, insecticide and microbe costs, diminishing their need in the winter and instead just paints lawns around the end of November to mid-December. The color lasts. He has no worries about a fungus problem or a big orange spot and he can apply Endurant lawn colorant once, saving on two applications of fungicide, insecticide and micro nutrients. “It’s much less than half the cost in materials plus the savings in labor,” he said. While Juchnowicz does not apply fertilizer on zoysia because it will cause problems with the fungus, he does save on the other potential environmental contaminants by choosing Endurant instead. “It’s a feel good product. We’re doing the right thing at the right time on the property. We’re doing the right thing for the environment while doing the right thing for the pocket book,” said Juchnowicz.     Read More

Turf Colorant User Overcomes Poor Water Quality

Golf Course Superintendent Meets Expectations of Green with Endurant

~An interview with Mike Reinecke, Golf Course Superintendent at Eagle Mountain Golf Club, managed by OB Sports, in Fountain Hills, Arizona Golf Course Superintendent Mike Reinecke was a bit ahead of his time as one of the first users of Endurant turf grass colorant approximately 10 years ago. Now, Endurant turf colorant is a tool he utilizes every year. Due to water quality challenges on the course at Eagle Mountain Golf Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona, there weren’t many options available to remedy the problems. Endurant turf colorant was described as a God send to overcome the high salts in the water.

About Mike Reinecke

Prior to becoming superintendent, and before joining OB Sports, Reinecke spent 12 years in the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Network. He spent most of his time at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course and it was there that Reinecke first began using colorants. He is one of the first users of Endurant in Arizona, beginning in 2010, the first year Endurant hit the market. He continues to use Endurant now, as Geoponics, the makers of Endurant, celebrates its 10th Anniversary. It remains a favorite among golf course superintendents and professionals because it is the most natural looking and longest lasting colorant on the market. After leaving TPC, Reinecke went to work for OB sports and was instrumental in remodels and improved playing conditions at Raven Golf Club and Cave Creek. When it came to applying Endruant there, he began with target greens that were not overseeded.

Endurant Turf Colorant as an Irreplaceable Tool

[caption id="attachment_1477" align="alignleft" width="600"] Eagle Mountain Golf Club hole #14. Eagle Mountain overcomes the challenge of high sodium soil with Endurant turf colorants. Source: Golf Tips Mag[/caption] “The more I became familiar with the product, I began taking it out to the golf course to overseeded greens to help with their appearance and then during cold months using it more and then to fairways,” said Reinecke. At Eagle Mountain, Reinecke manages a familiar condition— high sodium soil—something he faced successfully at TPC Scottsdale as well. “Here at Eagle Mountain we struggle with water quality. Sodium bicarbonates lead to poor water quality as we use reclaimed water. The salt leads to rapid blight disease,” said Reinecke. “There is a tendency after overseeding where everything pops and looks great, but then, two weeks later, we lose the rye grass,” he added. Last year, Reinecke’s overseed practice at Eagle Mountain didn’t go well. Temperatures were in the low 40s in late October, which is unusually cold for Arizona that time of year. Typically, the overseed would germinate within seven days and he’d be seeing the grass come up. “Last year we had none. Day nine came and I started to panic. We were about to open the course up and no seed was popping,” said Reinecke. “I thought, we’ve got to heat this up.” So, Reinecke sprayed the fairways with Endurant right on top of the seed to add the dark green colorant. “It was crazy. A day or so after we saw a huge improvement even though the weather hadn’t changed much. Endurant heated it up and thank goodness we were able to open on time,” said Reinecke. Even when overseeding the fairways, he reported a better look with Endurant.

About Endurant Turf Colorants

“Endurant hides blemishes. It feels like cheating it does it so well. But we also get some good growth that we wouldn’t get without Endurant out there,” he said. Endurant FW (Endurant Fairways) is a favorite shade for Reinecke. [There are several Endurant options to choose from including Endurant TC, the original; Endurant Premium, a dark shade of green; Endurant PR, a favorite for a perennial rye look; Endurant TE, a pigment for actively growing grass; and now Endurant Flex, a hybrid pigment and paint preferred for transitions and other uses maximizing the lasting benefits of a paint with the affordability of a pigment.]

“Being a public golf course in Arizona in the winter, people come here expecting to see green no matter what,” said Reinecke.

When it comes to tournaments, golf courses are always going to put their best foot forward, and Endurant helps courses to get TV-Ready in just about any circumstance, but especially when the turf grass is already as well maintained as possible but needs pigment to meet expectations. Using Endurant can decrease usage of harsh chemicals. It can reduce dependence on fertilizer, which is especially helpful with phosphorus’s scarcity and harmful environmental impacts. Endurant also can reduce water usage. So, adding Endurant while minimizing other products and resources can have benefits that go beyond decreasing expenses.  Endurant can increase aesthetics and playability. For some, Endurant satisfies that environmental motivator as well. “There’s a possibility we need to reduce water usage by 15 to 20 percent starting next year,” said Reinecke. “We may not overseed the fairways again. Endurant will get us through,” he added. Overseed is oddly popular and unpopular at the same time, he said. “Every superintendent would rather not have to overseed, but it’s something we’re often forced to do,” said Reinecke. Endurant is helping many to get away from the heavy seed rates and in some cases use no seed at all, he said. While many people just expect overseed versus colorant, they often can’t tell the difference. The golfers never notice, he said.

More tips and advantages offered by Reinecke:

• I learned to put irrigation on for a couple minutes before spraying Endurant on fairways. It sticks better to the plant with a little water on the grass blades.
• I add a little iron to Endurant FW to get a darker, richer, individualized shade of natural looking green.
• Other colorants leave tire tracks from the sprayer, but with Endurant, they’re gone, he said.
• Endurant adheres to the grass, but not to the tires. I’m baffled by that.
• Geoponics is quick to respond to questions and to educate about Endurant.

Read More

Part 2: SiteOne & Endurant Get Football Field TV Ready

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series: Ohio football field is TV-ready using Endurant turf colorants with the help of Geoponics, SiteOne landscape supply and Field Source sports field management.

~An interview with SourceOne's Andy McCormick

SiteOne sales representative Andy McCormick knew just what to do when a customer had a blemish on an Ohio football field before a televised game. The former golf course superintendent used Endurant turf colorants for years. “First thing I thought of was spraying Endurant at Royal New Kent Golf Club,” said McCormick. “It’s all about timing, using the right product at the right time,” he added. That golf course in Providence Forge Virginia benefited from Endurant on Bermuda and he knew it could help blend in the problems on the football field as well. [caption id="attachment_1452" align="alignleft" width="660"] Endurant turf colorants provide TV-ready turf under pressure.[/caption] McCormick was a golf course superintendent in Virginia for years before joining SiteOne. He knows the benefits of using Endurant turf colorants as a regular practice instead of overseeding with rye grass – and the benefits of using Endurant in emergencies when something goes awry. “We used dyes, then pigments in the summer, then paints when everything went dormant,” said McCormick. Many years ago, McCormick had tried several brands and varieties of turf colorants before landing on Endurant as the best option for professionals while he served as superintendent at Hanover Golf Club in Virginia, he said. “We got a hold of Endurant while working with Virginia Tech,” said McCormick of the early years using the product. “Back in the day, everyone was figuring out what nozzles to use and what rates and speeds. Most of all, I always remember the color,” he said. “It didn’t look fake,” he noted. That could not be said of the other colorants on the market, which were off-colored or faded to blue. Ten years later and Endurant now has a variety of shades to match various turfgrass species. Unlike competitors, Endurant colorant lasts and when it does begin to fade, it fades on tone, noted McCormick. He started with tees and using Endurant during transitions as a superintendent in VA. [caption id="attachment_1463" align="alignleft" width="660"] Endurant FW provides the perfect look and play for a high stakes football game aired on ESPN under the scrutiny of high definition TV.[/caption] When Ryan DeMay, owner and principle with Field Source sports field management and a part-time City of Columbus employee, reached out to McCormick, DeMay knew instantly that feeling of wanting to get things just right on the field. DeMay was concerned about a chemical burn on a Pickerington football field just days before a game was to be televised on ESPN. “He had a little issue with an herbicide,” said McCormick. While the troublesome spot would have eventually recovered, it wasn’t going to look good on TV. “Endurant was easy to find and it stuck with me. Jay Wade and everyone was talking about it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Everyone sees what's going on. So I didn’t need to chase a company down. I already have a good one,” said McCormick. He had been keeping informed on the product, how, where and when to use it simply by following along on social media. “And, no matter how good a fertility program you have it will never look as good as painted,” noted McCormick. So DeMay reached out knowing McCormick had the experience with Bermuda and Endurant, although the Endurant can be used on just about anything from providing full color on dormant turf to sprucing up a dull fescue. “There is nothing the entire line of Endurant cannot do,” said McCormick.

Where to Start: Finding the Right Endurant for the Customer

DeMay’s issue with the herbicide was a “no brainer” for McCormick because both were familiar with Endurant. But still, the way to the address the situation is the same for almost all customers, said McCormick. He could see from the pictures there was just a little bit of a tip burn and that the grass still had a lot of green on the tissue. Other than the problem area, the turf was well maintained and in great condition -- providing an ideal canvas for the colorant to make it look just about picture perfect on TV. Still, to get all the technical support possible, McCormick, DeMay and Geoponics went about the challenge as a team to ensure the football field looked great in-person and on ESPN. [caption id="attachment_1464" align="alignleft" width="660"] Geoponics, SiteOne landscape supply and Field Source sports field management provide Pickerington Ohio football field with the perfect solution to get TV-Ready turf quickly using Endurant FW turf colorant.[/caption]

Questions to Ask Clients to Provide the Best Service and Endurant Product

• What is the customer looking for?
• What color is needed?
• What will provide those results? Endurant TC, FW, Premium or Perennial Rye?
• What is the grass's stage of growth? Is it dormant?
• Is the grass actively growing? Would the Endurant TE pigment or the Endurant Flex, a hybrid pigment and paint, be best?
• What results are expected?
• What is the type of grass? Is it fescue, rye, Bermuda, bentgrass or another species of grass?
• Where is it located?
• What is the condition of the turf?

Geoponics: A Supplier Who Works with Distributors and Clients

SiteOne’s Endurant customers get the support not only from SiteOne, but also from Geoponics, the makers of Endurant. As a salesperson, this support from a supplier can make for the best outcomes. “In this case especially, we had a limited time to make a it happen to go on national TV,” said McCormick. DeMay, the client, had done all his homework. McCormick had some product experience previously and Geoponics was ready and able to provide any support needed. “In just a couple of quick phone calls, we had what we needed,” said McCormick. SiteOne sales reps can have added confidence knowing when a situation comes up, they can feel comfortable getting any information they need about Endurant from Geoponics and that their customer can feel comfortable talking with Geoponics as well. “The phone call to Geoponics made it really simple to get the answers and it was an easy call to make,” said McCormick. The full, year-round product is an easy sell, whether the customer is looking to use it as a highlight or to use it full scale, he said. In the case of the Pickerington football team in Ohio, it was a great success to offer Endurant. “This is his baby and this is on TV. It’s a perfectionist thing. When it comes to using Endurant, I’m game on,” said McCormick. Read More

Part 1: SiteOne & Endurant Grass Paint Gets Football Field TV-Ready

SiteOne, Geoponics and Field Source Team up to Get Football Field TV-Ready with Endurant Turf Colorant

Part One of a Two Part Series: Interview with Field Source Owner & SiteOne Customer Ryan DeMay

Football field grass paint for TV. Days before the first football game of the season to be televised on ESPN, field manager Ryan DeMay spotted a problem with the turfgrass. [caption id="attachment_1456" align="alignleft" width="660"] SiteOne, Geoponics and Field Source use team work to get football field TV ready using Endurant turf colorant.[/caption] The Pickerington Ohio teams and the turfgrass field were to be highlighted during the 2020 GEICO ESPN High School Football Kickoff. The series was getting a lot of attention as officials were deciding whether the season would begin on time during the Covid 19 pandemic and included Pickerington's Division 1 State Champs. Whether high school, college or professional football, the look and play of the field are critical and Endurant provides an edge for getting TV-ready and tournament-ready turfgrass that holds up to the scrutiny of demanding audiences and high definition TV. “I had discoloration on the field that had started within 48 hours or less of what was going to be the first game of the season,” said DeMay. “Then, I learn it was going to be broadcast nationally on ESPN. The stakes were high. I knew how the field needed to look and play with that audience,” said DeMay. DeMay, owner and principle with Field Source sports field management and a part-time City of Columbus employee, sought to get his field TV-ready. He reached out to Andy McCormick of SiteOne landscape supply for ideas. McCormick, a former golf course superintendent and current SiteOne salesperson, along with DeMay, who works with parks, school systems, universities and sports complex operators to construct and maintain fields, knew what to do. [caption id="attachment_1455" align="alignleft" width="660"] Endurant FW applied to an Ohio football field provides TV-ready turf conditions.[/caption] DeMay applied Endurant on a Bermuda grass field used for football and soccer toward the end of the season a year prior. The school district outside of Columbus was pleased with the aesthetics and playability of the field treated with Endurant. So DeMay reached out to gather technical guidance about applying Endurant specific to the conditions and the goals on the Pickerington field to get it TV-ready in no time. DeMay didn’t realize at first that he was not speaking with a sales rep but rather with the maker of Endurant, Geoponics. “It was a genuine response to reach out and try to help me. I thought that was pretty cool,” said DeMay. “We discussed all the particulars. I’m a detail-oriented person. If there is any tactic or trick I need to know, I’m going to do it,” he added. “I picked every square inch of his brain,” said DeMay. Then, he applied Endurant FW in two coats, starting with one coat at a gallon and a half. [caption id="attachment_1454" align="alignleft" width="660"] Sports field manager gets game day ready turf using Endurant FW colorant in time for football season opener on ESPN.[/caption] “It was just perfect. The discoloration started to heal away a little bit and the field looked perfect,” he said. The colorant helped draw heat on the Bermuda for agronomic improvements. “Between that and the colorant on the field, it just looked immaculate, as good as it ever looked,” exclaimed DeMay.

Considerations of Using Endurant: Avoiding Uniform Stains

“A significant concern of ours was uniform transfer— getting product on the uniforms,” said DeMay. The team held practices and then knew it was going to work. They could avoid the concern. The uniforms wouldn’t have a green paint or any other apparent use of Endurant. “The day of the game, it was all perfect,” said DeMay. [Check out this blog about a University study on Endurant and other colorants staining uniforms and clothes here.] [caption id="attachment_1457" align="alignleft" width="816"] Testing uniform transfer of the turf colorant was an important factor in choosing Endurant for the Pickerington team as the game aired on ESPN. Credit: PCTigerFootball.com[/caption]

Application of Endurant: Rain & Results

After choosing Endurant FW for the ideal shade of green to match the turfgrass, application rates were considered. Two coats were applied at a gallon and half rate per acre each. After the first coat was applied, unexpected rain came that was not in the forecast. “A freak storm pounds us with over an inch of rain 20 minutes after painting,” DeMay exclaimed. “ I thought we lost it all,” he said. After waiting for it to dry to see the actual results, the color lasted more than expected given it didn’t have the chance to fully dry before the rain. “But we just lost a little bit of color. It looked a little darker after it dried,” said DeMay. Then, they put the second application out. “It was just spectacular,” he said. “Especially for TV— the cameras pick up everything.” Perhaps no one would be as critical of the field as DeMay would be. “Everyone else is watching the highlight reel of the play and we’d be like, ‘damn there’s that spot again,’” said DeMay, adding he was relieved to avoid that concern completely. Endurant’s reputation continues. “It’s one thing to have a great product but to have great service and support, well I work with a lot of people and deal with a lot of things, and that’s rare,” said DeMay. [caption id="attachment_1438" align="alignleft" width="660"] UAB Legion Field: Endurant turf colorants enhance professional athletic fields such as University of Alabama's Birmingham soccer field Credit: UABSports.com[/caption]

Endurant Builds Reputation for Best Product, Best Service

Once one school or professional team paints, other teams will often wonder how to get such a good-looking field. Endurant catches on. “The school, they knew what we did. We were transparent about what we were doing. In crisis management 101, communicate, over-communicate, and communicate some more,” said DeMay. “Agronomically, we knew the grass would bounce back, but it might not be in time for that game,” said DeMay. “After using Endurant, the playability was still there, but the presentation and appearance of it were just off the charts, just amazing,” he exclaimed While there are many brands to select from, Endurant looks natural and the exceptional service adds value. “The reputation and stature of the golf courses and sports turf managers using Endurant stands out. The other piece is the product support,” said DeMay. Read More

Lawn Service Expands by Painting Grass

Oklahoma Lawn Company Adds Grass Painting Service

Nick Jones owned and operated a pest control and lawn care business in a rural part of Oklahoma for years. Less then five years ago though, he found a different niche that brought him out of the confines of Perkins, Oklahoma and into partnering with other lawn maintenance businesses to provide a new service—grass painting, in larger nearby cities. He grew his business first by adding lawn painting as an offering to his clients, and now expanding the business further by offering painting as a consultant or contractor for other lawn and maintenance companies. By contracting with Jones, these companies find they can avoid the need for new equipment and still expand their offerings. [caption id="attachment_1428" align="alignleft" width="660"] A dormant lawn painted in Oklahoma using Endurant Turf Colorant.[/caption] Painting Grass Makes News: Putting Endurant Turf Colorants to the Test Painting grass. “That still sounds bazaar,” said Jones. But in the past two years, people have become increasingly aware of the benefits so the oddity isn’t so off-putting, he added. When people see it, they also have an interest, sometimes before they’re even aware of the benefits. “They’ll say, ‘I know you painted that yard, can you come look at my house?’ Or another one I get is someone ordered paint online and it didn’t look the way the online ad showed it,” said Jones. “That’s because it wasn’t an Endurant product,” he added. Even hiring helpers, he hears, “Why would you paint grass?” They see it and then they get it, said Jones. “First time I saw it was not a commercial but news about water restrictions in California and in Texas,” recalled Jones. “I thought, that’s interesting and a viable solution for overseeding rye.” Then, Jones got online and searched for turf paint options. “Like 10 names came up, so I ordered 10 of those. I have about a two-acre backyard and set up a test lot for each one. I painted and watched it through the winter,” said Jones. A clear winner was revealed among the test plots, he said. “Everybody who came by was like, ‘that’s what I want my turf to look like,’” relayed Jones. So rather than spending a lot of time researching the companies, he tested them for himself. [caption id="attachment_1431" align="alignleft" width="660"] Curb appeal is made easy with Endurant turf colorant applied by Nick Jones in Oklahoma.[/caption] Expanding the Lawn Care Business to Include Landscape Colorants It took some further testing to learn how to profit from it in a way that differed somewhat from the model of the lawn care business, which for the most part is about the speed in which the landscapers can complete a property. Colorant was about expertise and the savings came in forms such as water, seed and chemicals. The clients were a niche market. “The first year was basically a learning year,” Jones said. This encouraged other businesses to contract Jones, who had all the equipment and the operation down to a science rather than recreating all those efforts themselves, he said. “It’s one thing to put it down and for it to look good. Phase two was to put it down in a way that you could repeat it for a profit in multiple yards,” said Jones. [caption id="attachment_1432" align="alignleft" width="480"] Adding a pop of color to grass using Endurant turf colorant brings growing business to lawn service professional Nick Jones.[/caption] Tips and Tricks: Benefits of Endurant Turf Colorant In that year he learned the best equipment for various site conditions; different shades of Endurant ideal for particular species of grass and yards; how clean the property needs to be; and other tips and tricks for ideal results accomplished efficiently. He outgrew Perkins. The past two years, Jones has stretched his business working with other landscapers in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. “With Endurant, we have a guaranteed look at every job. In Oklahoma, with weather being what it is, people are spending a lot of money on overseed and they don’t know how it’s going to look,” said Jones. “A lot of times that’s poor,” he added. He uses Endurant to take the guesswork out of the equation. “You know what you’re going to get with painting. That’s kind of the number one thing with it,” said Jones. The species of grass leads not to just desiring a specific shade of Endurant, but also to applications benefits. “Overseed over dormant Bermuda grass is dependent on rain and temperature being right,” said Jones However, with Fescue, which often maintains some color, the look is different. “You can just go over the top of Fesuce and it looks like a million bucks. You can save on water. You never deprive the plant of nutrients, but you can cut back a bit,” he said [caption id="attachment_1429" align="alignleft" width="660"] Home owners and real estate professionals enjoy the benefits of Endurant turf colorant applied to dormant turf as an extra lawn service in Oklahoma.[/caption] Sports Fields & Businesses: Effects of Covid 19 In addition to home lawns, properties for sale gain curb appeal, while businesses and athletic fields also benefit from the colorant. “If you have two businesses say on opposite corners, across from one another, such as two gas stations, people will go to the one with the better looking lawn,” said Jones. “If your gas station is green and the neighbor’s is brown, people are naturally drawn to the green,” said Jones. That’s the same with a home lawn, property for sale or an athletic field. Sports teams are at least as competitive. Softball and baseball fields are increasingly finding the benefits of colorants, often while at visiting another team’s well-maintained field. “If you overseed, it’s really hard on coaches and managers to have it look good for the summer,” said Jones. Due to Covid 19, baseball season started and then got shut down in spring 2020. With uncertainty remaining into fall and another season on the horizon, athletic field management choices are likely to change. “We don’t know if we want to put that much money and time into overseed and then the season is ended early again. Overseeding some and then painting is an option. Or paint it so you’re not out the time. It’s most cost effective. That way, if you lose the season, you don’t lose that time and investment,” said Jones. [caption id="attachment_1430" align="alignleft" width="660"] Painting grass pays off for the owner of home and commercial lawn service companies in Oklahoma.[/caption] Tricks of the Trade & Professional Painting Equipment

• “The biggest thing is to talk to someone who has done it before you do it,” said Jones.
• Familiarity with the colors
• Knowledge of the area: “Bermuda looks different in Oklahoma than it does in South Carolina.”
• Each customer has a desired look and expectation
• Test your equipment
• Eventually, customization of equipment and process (Such as a walking boom and other things Jones built specifically for painting. Sprayers for smaller versus larger properties.)
• Edging wheel, particularly for residential and commercial to assist in keeping paint off concrete and other undesired areas near the grass.
• For a once a year application, when approaching winter dormancy, paint immediately following Thanksgiving just before people are hanging Christmas lights. This helps avoid having to move wires.
• For twice a year applications, a light coat can be applied in October when a loss of green begins and then a darker coat.

[caption id="attachment_108" align="alignleft" width="660"] Endurant colorant varieties. Check out the full line at TurfPaint.net with additional options in pigments, including Endurant TE, and a new hybrid paint and pigment, Endurant FLEX.[/caption] A Professional’s Personal Take on Using All the Various Turf Colors “I personally use Endurant FW (Fairway) on the fescue. A little of “Fairway” goes a long way on the Fescue,” said Jones. “TC on Bermuda really looks nice,” he added. Jones learned to blend for optimizing results. “That’s where understanding the colors comes in. The Fairway (FW) gets dark quick. I use a lot of Fairway (FW and TC concentrate,” said Jones. He also uses a base coat of FW with a top of Premium applied at different rates. “To get it to pop.” The different grasses have different looks and base shades at different stages of growth and dormancy. Bermuda goes dormant in a whiter shade while Zoysia when dormant has a little more yellow, so Premium often brings that to the desired green shade. Different landscapers he works with use different mixes and processes to get their desired look. “Some people just want green but not with a lot of attention,” he said. “It’s different strokes for different folks.” Most importantly, Endurant doesn’t fade to blue like so many other brands, noted Jones. Having worked with marking dyes, pigments and paints, Jones points out: “Marking dyes go away pretty quickly. Pigment will erode to a not natural color. Paints will last. What we’re working with here with Endurant lasts for the longest duration,” he said. He’s seen other lawn companies try to duplicate the look without knowing the products or process. “They’ll quadruple the amount of marking dye or pigment on the yard. Ten or even 30 days later, it may look competitive to ours. But a month or two later, our yard is till holding color,” said Jones.     Read More

Update: Endurant Turf Colorant Contest

Show Us Your Grass

***Update 11/2/2020: See new categories for November and upcoming contests.*** ***UPDATE: The contests remain the same in that we want you to show us your use of ENDURANT, so you can win a $500 U.S. Visa Gift Card.  However, to be clear on all these details, please review for the current contest rules and for upcoming contest plans in this blog. Future contests may change as needed, with the current plan for 2020 contests' categories and dates forecasted below and updated. Despite all the details, the main parameters are simple. 1. You purchased and used Endurant 2. You show us your application of Endurant, tell us a little about it, tag us and add a couple hashtags (as detailed below). 3. Get noticed in your post that shows the benefits of using Endurant and 4. We'll mail you, if you win the contest, a $500 U.S. Visa Gift Card that you can use anywhere in the U.S. 5. We'll start another contest soon, according to the plans below, which we may update before each new contest begins. Enter the Endurant Turf Colorant Contest. This photo and video contest could lead to winning a $500 U.S. Visa Gift Card for showing us how you applied Endurant Turf Colorant recently or over the past 10 years. Enter into one of eight (or enter all eight) categories by posting to Social Media and showing us your use of Endurant beginning Sept.1, 2020. As Endurant celebrates its 10th anniversary of painting grass, join in the celebration with chances to win cash prizes. From September 1 through December 27, approximately every two weeks (with one week off, Sept. 28 - Oct. 4), we have a new contest where you will have a chance to win $500 paid in a U.S. Visa gift card that can be used on purchases within the U.S.. All you have to do is show us how you’ve used Endurant turf colorants any time over the past 10 years. Post the image, photo gallery or video to Twitter, tag us  (@Geoponics) and include two hashtags (#Endurant #TurfColorantContest). The post that best displays the benefits of Endurant with the most interactions and reach will win for that two week contest, and then, the next Endurant turf colorant contest category begins. (Excluding the one week off. Follow us for any updates in future contests as they are subject to change.)  ***As indicated throughout, the product used in the post entry must be Endurant to win the Endurant Turf Colorant Contest. Have proof of purchase of Endurant available to send to Geoponics, emailed to geoadmin@geoponicscorp.com , upon request.*** *Contests end on a Sunday and winners will be announced approximately one week later on a Monday, dubbed Money Mondays. Prospective winners will be contacted individually prior to public announcement to verify details upon Geoponics' request, including an address for sending the $500 U.S. Visa Gift Card, proof of purchase, sales rep, distributor name or other requests. [caption id="attachment_1391" align="alignleft" width="733"] Contests begin Sept. 1, 2020 and are planned through Dec. 27, 2020. Details on TurfPaint.net/blog[/caption]
Endurant is offering eight opportunities to win between September 1 and the end of 2020. The final contest winner may receive their prize in the New Year. You may enter all contests. However, one winner, who can only win once in the 8-contest series, will be selected based on showing the benefits of using Endurant with the highest activity of their social media post and popularity as indicated by likes, comments and shares. The winner will be selected based upon the most popular image that best displays the benefits of using Endurant, thus the product must be Endurant and the poster must be a customer of Endurant via Geoponics, a sales rep or a distributor and this may need to be verified with Geoponics upon request within 5 days of contacting the prospective winner. 

Geoponics will contact the winner through social media and announce the winner within approximately one week of the contest ending. Contests end on Sundays and the winner will be announced approximately one week later on Monday. If contacted by Geoponics, please respond to any questions, such as for the mailing address to send the $500 U.S. Visa Gift Card, and proof of purchase of Endurant emailed to geoadmin@geoponicscorp.com . To remain eligible, prospective winners must be available for contact within five days of the contest ending for verification purposes.   

Each post must have proper hashtags # and tags @ as noted below. 

Check out the planned categories, keep an eye out for updates on upcoming contests, and be sure to enter and participate!

#FirstTimesACharm and #FlexYourTurf

The first category is to show us the first time using any Endurant product. This contest, dubbed #FirstTimesACharm, allows contestants to show us any Endurant product used recently or over the course of 10 years of painting grass with any of the Endurant products. You may be able to get your hands on the newest product, Endurant Flex, in time to enter for this contest category or in one of several other categories. Why not try them all? Learn more about this new product, Endurant Flex, which combines the benefits of a pigment with the lasting nature of the Endurant paint. Then, we'd love to see you #FlexYourTurf in almost any of the contest categories as described below, whether you use Flex on your tees, greens, fairways, clubhouse or wherever you choose to use it. Enter the first contest category, #FirstTimesACharm, beginning Sept. 1, 2020, and show us your first time using any Endurant product. See all 8 contest categories below. [caption id="attachment_1393" align="aligncenter" width="733"] The first category in the 8 Endurant Turf Colorant contests is showing your first use of any Endurant product over the past 10 years, including the NEW Endurant Flex. Contest starts Sept. 1, 2020 #FlexYourTurf #FirstTimesACharm[/caption]

How to Enter to Win the Endurant Turf Colorant Contest

The first contest began Sept. 1 and has now ended. The next Endurant Turf Colorant Contests, beginning Sept. 14, 2020, will be limited to Twitter only. The first category was available across all three social media platforms, Twitter.com/Geoponics; FB.com/Geoponics; Instagram.com/TurfPainting . To enter, post an image, before and after photographs, gallery of photos and/or video by first following us on Twitter and then also tagging us on the post @Geoponics on Twitter. Include other hashtags per contest as noted below.  

Enter any or all of the two-week contest periods fitting the individual contest categories. (Remember you can only win the $500 U.S. Visa gift card once. But you can keep participating for fun! And since the product must be Endurant to win the Endurant Turf Colorant Contest, submit proof of purchase upon request.)

For every contest entry you must:

1.      Follow us on Twitter
2.      Include these hashtags:  #Endurant #TurfColorantContest 
3.      Tag us, @Geoponics on Twitter ***4.      Contests beginning Sept. 14 will be limited to golf courses, sports fields and landscape companies in the U.S.*** ***5.       The post must include use of Endurant and thus proof of purchase is required upon request.*** ***6.      Provide upon contact a U.S. address for mailing the $500 U.S. Visa Gift Card. Additional optional hashtags are available for each individual contest as well and may increase odds of winning. For example, you may choose to include #ShowUsYourGrass and the website TurfPaint.net. Some hashtags, although optional, could increase your odds. For example, you may tag your distributor, sales rep and property, as desired and applicable to you. Although not necessary, these may help you get the attention, likes and interactions to boost your post's reach and odds of winning. (Especially if whoever you tag also follows Geoponics, which would increase their likelihood of being seen.) Using hashtags may also help you see your fellow contestants, if you're curious about the competition.

The 8 Endurant Turf Colorant Contest Categories:

Remember, these hashtags below are just optional. But they give you the category details of each of the eight contests. Each contest category runs for about two weeks. 1. #FirstTimesACharm Show us the results from the first time using an Endurant product. Endurant FLEX is the newest in the product line, so for many, that will be a new, first time use this fall. But perhaps you have a photo from the past of your first time applying any Endurant colorant or first time applying a specific color in the line of Endurant products, such as Endurant Mulch Colorant, Endurant TE, Endurant FW, Endurant Premium, Endurant PR or any of the Endurant products. Be sure to name the product in the post, such as #EndurantPR.  This contest runs for just shy of two weeks, beginning Tuesday, September 1 through Sunday, September 13.

2. #ShowUsYourTees Show us your golf tees. Perhaps you used Endurant like “Liquid Overseed,” enhancing your tees using paint instead of or in addition to overseed. Show us the results if you applied Endurant on tees.  This contest runs Monday, September 14 through Sunday, September 27.  (Note: One week off of all contests. Mon. Sept. 28 - Sun. Oct. 4. Use this week to prepare for the next rounds! Future contests are subject to change before they begin. Keep an eye on this page and social media for updates.)

3. #FairwaysToHeaven Got green fairways using Endurant? Let’s see them. We'd love to hear some details about the application, such as application rates; shade of Endurant; whether it's all #LiquidOverseed or a hybrid of seed. Oct. 5 - Oct. 18

4. #GreenedUpGreens  Show us your use of Endurant on golf greens.  Oct. 19 - Nov. 1

UPDATE: New Turf Colorant Contest Categories in November

Nov. 2 – Nov. 15

#FavoriteEndurantPhoto Simply show us your favorite photo of Endurant. Contests are subject to change before they begin. Be sure to follow us on social media, sign up for our email newsletter for updates and check this blog for new posts with contest category details.

Nov. 16 – Nov. 29

#CreativeColorant Most unique and/or creative usage of an Endurant turf colorant. Endurant applied in unique ways, perhaps pine or palm colorant. (Past examples included a painted bench and artistically painted overalls) Methods of application may also be creative using photographs or videos to show how you applied the colorant.

Nov. 30 – Dec. 13

#TurfTransformation Most dramatic transformation as shown by your before and after photos or your descriptions of a photo or video. Use of Endurant anywhere on a golf course, sports field or applied by a professional lawn service business in the U.S.. Perhaps your course went from all brown dormant turf to vibrant healthy green using Endurant. Perhaps you or your client’s mulch went from drab to fab. Let’s see the most improved grass using Endurant turf colorant.

Dec. 14 – Dec 27

#ShowUsYourGrass Simply show us Endurant on grass. Get the most likes, comments, shares and attention to win. This category is open to all turf professionals, including lawn service, sports field managers, sod farmers and golf course superintendents.

Post to Play: Encourage Participation to Win

Encourage friends, colleagues and coworkers to like, comment and share your post. Include hashtags and tags on shares as well on the original post to increase post’s reach and odds of winning. NOTE: For shared posts to be seen, the account the post is shared to must also be a fan or follower of Geoponics Twitter page or not have privacy settings limiting the chance for Geoponics and others to see the post. Doesn't mean it's necessity to win, but it will increase the odds the post is seen and thus the odds of winning.

AWARDS for Each Winner of the Endurant Turf Colorant Contest:

Winners will be contacted and announced within approximately one week of contest ending. Share the U.S. address for the mailing of your $500 U.S. Visa Gift Card. The $500 Visa Gift Card will be mailed to the U.S. address provided at time of winner’s announcement. This may be used by the maintenance crew or however you wish. If you win, we'd love to hear how you chose to enjoy the winnings. Contest questions, contact 1-877-ECO-GROW or info@geoponicscorp.com with any questions about the Endurant Turf Colorant Contest running September 1, 2020 through December 27, 2020. ***You must be a customer of Geoponics, Endurant, their sales representatives &/or distributors to win the contest as the product displayed in the image post that is most popular and best displays the benefits of Endurant must be Endurant, as noted above and throughout.    Read More

Introducing New Endurant Flex Turf Colorant

Geoponics, the maker of Endurant professional turf colorants, introduces the new hybrid Endurant Flex, specially formulated for transitions and transition zones, among other uses.

Flex Your Turf

Endurant Flex turf colorant

What makes Endurant Flex different?

Endurant Flex combines the benefits of a pigment, such as Endurant TE for actively growing grass, with the benefits of a paint, such as Endurant TC and the other shades of Endurant paint, which are formulated for excellent pigmentation of dormant turf. With Endurant Flex turf colorant, you get the benefits of a pigment with the benefits of a paint for those in between times and those in between zones, among other applications. [video width="848" height="352" mp4="https://turfpaint.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/VIDEO-2020-08-17-11-14-09.mp4"][/video]

Why Flex? Why now?

Geoponics launches their newest product, Endurant Flex, as Endurant turf colorant celebrates its 10th Anniversary of painting grass. Ten years ago, Endurant became the professional's choice for adding color to turgrass at times when chlorophyll was naturally lacking, such as in seasonal dormancy of warm season grass species, including Bermuda grass. This practice of painting grass using Endurant was implemented to provide a great look and to conserve water, avoid harsh chemical usage, minimize labor expenses, improve transitions between warm and cool season grasses and increase playability on golf courses. For golf course superintendents specifically, using Endurant on the dormant turf not only added color, it provided the firm and fast playing conditions as preferred by golfers. Still, there are transitions and times overseed is still used and those are among the times to Flex. [caption id="attachment_1387" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Before and after photos show Endurant turf colorant on dormant warm season Bermuda grass.[/caption] One of the challenges for some golf course superintendents, landscapers and turfgrass managers remains managing the transitions and transition zones, efficiently, economically, aesthetically and with optimal results agronomically-- all while providing optimal playing surfaces when applicable to golf courses and athletic fields. Whether it's the time of year when turfgrass is transitioning from actively growing grass to dormant turf or the other way around, when dormant turf is on its way back in growing and producing chlorophyl, these in between times call for a flexible product, one that is in between two of Endurant's fan favorites-- Endurant turf paints and Endurant TE pigment.

Try Endurant Flex today! Flex your turf!

If you already have a sales rep, contact your Endurant distributor or sales representative today and tell them you're ready to Flex your turf! Otherwise, contact Geoponics at 1-877-ECO-GROW (1-877-326-4769) or email info@GeoponicsCorp.com. Endurant Flex will be available soon on Amazon, where many of Geoponics products are currently available, and on ShopGeoponics.com, where almost all Geoponics products are available (special large orders are available through representatives). By shopping Geoponcis and Endurant on Amazon, Prime members can enjoy free shipping. [caption id="attachment_108" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Endurant colorant varieties. Check out the full line at TurfPaint.net[/caption]

Find Your Favorite Shade of Green with Endurant Grass Paints

Want to see the different shades of Endurant in one place? Check out this grass painting site. Here you will quench your curiosity about the other Endurant turf colorants that came before Endurant Flex, including Endurant TE (a pigment ideal for actively growing grass); Endurant TC (the original colorant that is a shade of green ideal for many species of grass, common turf conditions and as used in the Endurant sprays for home lawns); Endurant FW (formulated for a richer tone that golf courses enjoy on Fairways); Endurant PR (a perennial rye look) and Endurant Premium (one of the darkest greens). Read More

The Art and Science of Painting Grass

One of Nation’s Top Turf Painters Shares Endurant Turf Painting Tips

Full interview with Jason Sanderson, Golf Course Superintendent Knoxville, Tennessee Across the nation, and even the world, a few people have taken the simplicity of painting grass and turned it into an art. Among these master painters of turf is Jason Sanderson, golf course superintendent of Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville, Tennessee. Painting turf grass to conserve water, seed and chemical usage is increasingly common. Also, painting grass to improve the game and aesthetics of a golf course continues to draw users to the top-rated colorant on the market, Endurant turf paint. [caption id="attachment_1368" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Cherokee Country Club looks gorgeous year round as Golf Course Superintendent Jason Sanderson uses Endurant turf paint to get winter wow factor, color that pops and to avoid transition challenges.[/caption] Using Endurant turf colorants as directed is easy and leads to success. Still, some users of Endurant have found ways to make the colorant fit their needs to a T. In fact, the first area of the golf course that Sanderson ever painted were his tees. Often, golfers and members didn’t know they were painted and instead thought they were overseeded. “Then someone noted how good the tees looked and asked, ‘well, why can’t we paint the whole golf course?’ ...So, we gave it a try,” recalled Sanderson. That was 2010 and he’s been painting the course ever since.

About Cherokee Country Club

Cherokee Country Club is the oldest club in Knoxville, founded in 1907. It’s a Donald Ross links style golf course. It’s a small property of only about 90 acres. It’s a par 70, and rated one of the best courses in the area.

About Jason Sanderson

Having worked more than 20 years on the Cherokee Country Club property, Jason Sanderson was the assistant golf course superintendent for six years and has been superintendent for 16 years.

About Endurant Turf Paint

Endurant turf paint is celebrating its 10^th Anniversary and Sanderson is celebrating his 10^th year painting grass, having tried almost every turfgrass colorant, paint and pigment on the market over the course of those years. Endurant was launched by Geoponics in 2010 with one paint colorant, Endurant TC; then added a pigment, Endurant TE, for actively growing grass, before adding different shades of green formulated for the best coordination of various turfgrass species. [caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Implementing art and science, Superintendent Jason Sanderson masterfully applies Endurant turf colorant during a winter frost in Knoxville, Tennessee getting one of the best looking courses year-round[/caption]

Sanderson Creates His Own Painting Process

The first year Sanderson used grass paint was as an alternative to overseed. “I overseeded some tees for a few years with limited success. I really didn’t like the transition to the Bermuda grass in the summer. In June, our tees were terrible,” Sanderson said. He tried six to seven different paints before deciding Endurant turf colorant was the best choice. “Some paints are too thick. They’re difficult on equipment, on the sprayers and trying to get them clean as they caked up was a problem. The biggest problem though was fading and fading to blue. We put it down green and then it faded to blue and looked terrible,” Sanderson said of other brands. The best thing about Endurant is the natural-looking color and its lasting properties-- it's called Endurant for a reason. The color endures.

“The Reasons I Do Things the Way I Do:”

1.  It’s a lot of money we spend; it’s someone else’s money; and, if we’re going to spend that money, it’s got to be right. 2. I’m a tinkerer by nature. I like to get things right and just the way that I like them. 3. I went to a USGA seminar with Rob Vaughan in Atlanta and I had just started using the Endurant the year before. (Read about turf painting as recommended by the USGA here with the “One and Done” Spraying Method and in other workshops on USGA.org.

Tees Lead to Fairways to Heaven, and Beyond

“I wanted to start spraying more than tees,” said Sanderson. Not only did he try different paint brands, he also tried different approaches, including varying water volumes, gallons per acre, different nozzles and different speeds. “One fairway had 16 gallons per acre on it,” he exclaimed. “I was trying to figure out the way it looked best for us and the way we could still get it done in a timely manner,” said Sanderson. As a private course that’s closed on Monday, Monday became paint day. On the first experimental application of turf colorant on the entire course, of the 18 fairways, Sanderson said four looked gorgeous, 10 looked great and the other 4 looked okay. “Those fairways that looked great in December when we first painted them, still looked phenomenal in March,” said Sanderson. So, the club decided to continue doing what worked best, and apply Endurant to the whole course going forward. [caption id="attachment_1366" align="aligncenter" width="660"] On a foggy day in Knoxville, Tennessee, it's still plain to see that Jason Sanderson has mastered the art of painting turf implementing agronomic science to avoid the litany of challenges caused by overseed by instead using Endurant.[/caption]

Perfect Paint Job

Sanderson recommends beginning with using the product per product guidelines as a starting point. Then, in time, users may find ways to tweak the usage to suit their specific goals even more, depending on their priorities and conditions. “You can do what I do, and it will look great, but it might not be exactly what you want,” said Sanderson. “Everyone’s golf course is a little different. Everyone’s Bermuda is a little different color,” he added. What works at Cherokee Country Club: - Brand: Endurant by Geoponics - Color: Endurant FW - Rate: 8 gallons per acre - Application: Two applications at 4 gallons per acre each; one in each direction - Nozzles: Dual fan nozzles (rather than flat fan nozzles) - Conditions: Frost on grass blades, if possible Although Sanderson understands the attraction of the “one and done” method, he has a preference for layered applications. Optimally, he applies two applications, one in each direction, for a richer color, ideal coverage and longevity, reporting painting in December that still looks great in March.

Perfect Play: Increased Playability

Overseed never worked on the golf course, Sanderson said. It led to soft and slow conditions-- the opposite of ideal. "It’s hard in the winter to get it to play hard and fast. With overseed, it’s impossible. With Endurant, the playability is great. We’re on an all-Bermuda golf course,” said Sanderson Endurant increases aesthetic appeal, contrast and definition, he adds. Without paint, the golf course is entirely brown. “The Endurant really makes the golf course pop,” he said. "In a field where we're constantly trying to one up each other, the Endurant really set us apart." Read More

Endurant User Among First to Show Off Painted Grass

Ahead of His Time: Golf course superintendent among first to paint grass in Nevada

Full interview with Mike Donahue, Superintendent, Las Vegas Growing grass out west is a whole new ball game with Endurant. Reducing water, labor and chemical usage, Endurant users overcome the oddity of the idea of painting grass for an overall win. Some pockets of the country and the world have been painting grass for years, while for others the practice is new. Among those to first combat the question in the Western U.S. of “why in the world would you paint grass?!” was Mike Donahue, of Las Vegas, Nevada. “People often do things just because it’s the way we’ve always done them,” says Donahue, as he shows off one of the courses he manages. [caption id="attachment_1346" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Mike Donahue, Golf Course Superintendent, Las Vegas, Nevada uses Endurant Turf Colorants instead of overseed.[/caption] Now, as Endurant is celebrating its 10^th Anniversary and is about to kick off a contest where turfgrass professionals show off their courses and the benefits of using Endurant, we take a look back at the painting experiences shared by Donahue over the past couple of years. “I don’t think there’s a superintendent in the United States who actually wants to overseed,” says Donahue. “It’s hard on equipment, hard on the guys; the weather is always fluctuating. Nobody really wants to overseed,” he says. What’s interesting is that some people will keep overseeding simply because it’s always the way things were done. Also, there is a perception out there that painting isn’t natural and thus less environmentally friendly. Actually, Endurant organic turf paints present huge savings in water usage and in harsh chemical usage. “I spend more money on water in a month than I spend on paint all year,” says Donahue. While some superintendents may be reluctant to try painting grass, poor turf quality due to overseed led Donahue to easily make the switch. “This is links golf, so in the winter, I want it firm and fast. I want the ball to bounce and roll. I don’t need to overseed to get that,” says Donahue. “Using Endurant on Bermuda grass, the ball runs,” he adds. [caption id="attachment_1341" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Endurant Turf Colorant pops on dormant Bermuda grass in Las Vegas, Nevada[/caption] While almost all players, members, owners and managers enjoy the benefits, every once in a while a player questions the use of paint on grass. There’s often a relief once there’s an understanding that the grass is still real, it’s still very alive and the usage of the Endurant colorant requires fewer resources while improving playability. Much more work, water and chemical treatment goes into overseeding with rye grass compared with painting a dormant Bermuda grass. “Most reviews say it’s great,” says Donahue, who also described Endurant as the “best paint he’s ever used.” The popularity of painting turf differs coast to coast. [caption id="attachment_1344" align="aligncenter" width="660"] In the past few years, painting grass became less of an oddity as west coast turf managers needed creative ways to conserve water. Endurant Organic Turf Colorant is a favorite for its natural color that fades on tone, unlike other brands on the market, retaining a natural shade of green[/caption] “The guys in the Southeast, I see everyone on Twitter painting. Everyone there is doing it, like it’s normal,” said Donahue in 2018, about three years after he began using paint. One of the great benefits to grass paint, in addition to water savings, is avoiding the transition and competition challenges of overseeding. While on one of the courses that Donahue manages, the water comes from a water treatment facility next door offering lower rates, water rates are much more expensive in the area overall. “Go to the valley, where you’re buying city water, I spend $60,000, $70,000, $80,000 a month on city water,” says Donahue. So with rising water costs, users of Endurant began sprouting up all over the valley in the past two to three years especially.

Life Before Painting with Endurant 

Donahue used to put out seed at the end of August, when it was about 110 F. “I would get about two weeks, so my overseed was always marginal at best. The vast majority of the golf courses are in the same boat here," said Donahue All that labor and expense of overseed was to avoid the look of dormant Bermuda, but benefits were really only seen for a few weeks. “As a superintendent here, if I can keep my Bermuda green until mid-November and I’m greening up in February—or say even mid-November to mid-March—you’re still only talking three to four months. What’s the point of overseeding?” he continued. [caption id="attachment_1342" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Endurant adds wow factor to dormant turf grass, saving money, water and time while decreasing transition challenges and increasing playability.[/caption] If you overseed, it tears up the course and it’s closed for three to four weeks. Then it re-opens with cart-path only traffic and playing conditions aren’t great. His golf course is as busy or more in the summer as it is in the winter and the summer conditions were notoriously poor after overseeding because the transitions were so bad, he said. Transitioning from Overseed to Painting “Superintendents are converting to paint due to water. Between cost, transition issues and really the fact you overseed for no reason,” says Donahue. “I need the grass to be good for 12 months. By painting, I’ve eliminated transition issues. My Bermuda stand is better. It greens up faster,” he adds. As the industry adage goes, "the better your overseed, the worse your transition, and the worse your overseed, the better your transition." “To get a good overseed you’ve got to beat up the Bermuda. Bermuda doesn’t like to be beat up here,” says Donahue. Nearby superintendents are also painting on Bermuda, as well as on bentgrass greens. A few will still overseed. Sure overseeded rye grass can be pretty and fluffy, says Donahue. “Look at it in terms of playability. I’d put the greens painted with Endurant up against any greens. They’re that good and they’re dormant. People don’t even know it’s not overseed,” said Donahue. “You can’t tell me fluffed up rye grass is a better surface. The ball rolls faster on a dormant surface. Period. If you manage your Bermuda going into the fall, you can get it so it’s kind of fluffy too,” he said. [caption id="attachment_1340" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Endurant makes turfgrass management easier and less expensive all year long, coast to coast and around the globe.[/caption]

Greener Grass: Early Green Up Using Endurant Colorant

Endurant has another benefit as the grass recovers sooner after winter dormancy. Green up begins in February after using Endurant FW or darker. Chlorophyll increased and active growth continued with recovery by April instead of May. “The darker paint does bring in more heat, a few more degrees, “ said Donahue. As he showed off one of the best pictures of turf paint looking like overseed, he shares a highlight from a February a couple years back: “We had a defined and clean rough, too,” Donahue described. “I want to make sure people don’t ever question what we’re doing here. I want people to see. Look at this viable option of Endurant,” he said. Read More

Professionals use Endurant: How to setup & calibrate a spray rig

This article is the second in a series to give turfgrass professionals expert advice and tips for optimal results using Endurant turf colorants. Once you've purchased Endurant and prepared the turf, then it's time to prepare the spray rig. Read More