Ohio Turfgrass Week

Interesting facts about grass. It is believed that the tallest grass grows in savannas and jungles. However, there are plants belonging to the grass family, which are five times higher than tropical grasses. So, a kind of millet grown in Vietnam, reaches a height of 15 meters. But it is not the tallest grass. Giant bamboo which grows up to 30 meters tall is often mistakenly believed to be a cane. But it is a grass.

A lawn is an area of soil-covered land planted with grasses or (rarely) other durable plants such as clover which are maintained at a short height with a lawnmower and used for aesthetic and recreational purposes. Common characteristics of a lawn are that it is composed only of grass species, it is subject to weed and pest control, it is subject to practices aimed at maintaining its green color (e.g., watering), and it is regularly mowed to ensure an acceptable length, although these characteristics are not binding as a definition. Lawns are used around houses, apartments, commercial buildings and offices. Many city parks also have large lawn areas. In recreational contexts, the specialised names turf, pitch, field or green may be used, depending on the sport and the continent.

The last week of May is designated as "Ohio Turfgrass Week," in order to increase awareness of the importance of turfgrass to this state’s economy and environment. The General Assembly finds that the turfgrass industry in this state employs thousands of people and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. The General Assembly also finds that turfgrass acts as an environmental filter absorbing pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide and prevents soil erosion.

As used in this section, "turfgrass" means a natural sod that has multiple uses. (Added by 128th General AssemblyFile No.57, SB 51, §1, eff. 3/24/2011)

The term "lawn", referring to a managed grass space, dates to no earlier than the 16th century. Tied to suburban expansion and the creation of the household aesthetic, the lawn is an important aspect of the interaction between the natural environment and the constructed urban and suburban space. In many suburban areas, there are bylaws in place requiring houses to have lawns and requiring the proper maintenance of these lawns. In some jurisdictions where there are water shortages, local government authorities are encouraging alternatives to lawns to reduce water use.

In March of 1960, thirty to forty turfgrass professionals gathered in Room 222 of the Student Union at Purdue University. It was here where Bill Lyons, famous at the time for his Cheese Bars at turfgrass conferences, hosted this group of professionals and the idea of the Ohio Turfgrass Council was born. Following a presentation from Dr. Bert Musser, who spoke to the audience about the formation of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council, the group in Room 222 decided to pursue an organization of their own in Ohio. In 1961, the Ohio Turfgrass Council was officially formed (later changed to the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation).

Source: ohio.gov | ohioturfgrass.org

In 2024 Ohio Turfgrass Week in USA falls on May 20.