Production of Turfgrass Sod Soars

Turfgrass sod production is booming, according to the Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) Membership Profile Survey.

Despite the uncertainty of the past year’s tough economy, TPI members continue to increase the size of their farms, including sod production acres, indicating a positive outlook for the coming year.

In addition to the $97,744 (an increase of 37 percent from previous survey years) that the typical TPI producer plans to invest in land during 2003, other expenditures include equipment and equipment repair, seeds/sprigs, fertilizers, fuel and other related supplies and services.

May and June continue to be the strongest selling months for TPI sod producers, as stated in the report, and the survey also shows increasing amounts of turf being harvested in November, December, January and February than in past years, which may be representative of the warmer fall and winter seasons and reduced participation.

The author is Managing Editor of Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at nwisniewski@lawnandlandscape.com.