PLCAA Touts Benefits of Green Space

It’s that time of year again when the nation’s 30 million acres of lawns are green and growing. The return of warm weather, green grass and flowering plants makes April the ideal time to celebrate the benefits of turf. To observe the importance of lawns in daily life and the environment, the Professional Lawn Care Association of America designates April as National Lawn Care Month.

According to the national association, lawn care is an economic force and environmental hero. A newly released survey conducted by Harris Interactive reports that more than 24.7 million U.S. households spent $28.9 billion on professional landscape, lawn care and tree care services in 2002.

This represents an increase of nearly one million in the number of households using these services and a $3 billion rise in spending over the previous year. “Those figures are expected to continue to grow, especially in light of the fact that many Americans are spending more and more time at home and investing in their homes,” said Gary Clayton, executive vice president of PLCAA. And, it’s a worthwhile investment, reports PLCAA.

A healthy, well-maintained lawn can increase a property’s value by 5 to 15 percent. But these numbers only tell part of the lawn care story. A healthy, well-maintained lawn provides many environmental benefits including:

Oxygen Production. Oxygen generation by turf has a major impact on our environment. A 50- by 50-foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four.

Cooling Effect. Grass is a natural air conditioner. Eight healthy front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning – enough for 16 average homes.

Pollution Control. Dust and smoke particles from the atmosphere are trapped by turf, which helps keep the air cleaner. Grass also converts carbon dioxide to oxygen, a process that helps clean the air.

Water Quality. Dense, healthy grass slows and filters runoff, removing contaminants and trapping soil. Fresh, filtered water returns to the underground water supply. PLCAA and its lawn care industry members support National Lawn Care Month, and encourage everyone to maintain a healthy lawn to derive the maximum environmental benefits,” Delaney said.

To receive PLCAA’s free brochure “The ABC’s of Lawn & Turf Benefits,” send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: PLCAA, 1000 Johnson Ferry Road, NE, Suite C-135, Marietta, GA 30068. You may also send an email to plcaa@plcaa.org.