[Source: Howard Seftel, Arizona Republic] — A new cluster of restaurants looks poised to bring some energy to yet another part of downtown Phoenix.  This time the location is the stretch along Roosevelt Street between Second and Third Avenues.

There’s Bambino Bistro, formerly Vinery 214. Chef/owner Leonard Jay threw in the towel on Vinery’s small-plate concept — the neighborhood didn’t get it, he says with a sigh.  Now, armed with a new name and concept, the restaurant features sandwiches built around three kinds of homemade flatbread; from-scratch pasta; wood-fired, brick-oven pizza; burgers; mussels; and several off-beat specials… Bambino Bistro is a cute spot that could turn out to be a neighborhood sleeper.  Jay, meanwhile, is determined: “We’ve made a commitment to the community,” he says.  “No matter what it takes, we’re going to be here.”

A few feet down the block is Lola Coffee, the second branch of Daniel Wayne’s hip coffeehouse.  (The original is at 4700 N. Central Avenue, just south of Camelback Road.)  It opened Dec. 18 in the remodeled circa 1925 Gold Spot Market building.  Why here? “Downtown is finally ready,” Wayne says, pointing to the growing number of neighborhood residents.  He’s roasting his coffee beans and baking pastries on the premises.

Finally, the 10th Valley branch of Pita Jungle is coming to the same building as Lola Coffee.  It’s scheduled to open by the end of March.

By my count, the area bounded by Fourth Avenue on the west and Fourth Street on the east, and Roosevelt and Fillmore Streets on the north and south, is now home to 10 new places in the past year.  Along with Bambino Bistro, Lola Coffee and Pita Jungle, the list includes Nine 05, Local Breeze, Pasta Bar, Sens, Turf Restaurant & Pub, Moira Sushi and Phoenix Public Market Urban Grocery and Wine Bar.  And several more restaurants are on the way.  [Note: To read the full article, visit New restaurant cluster emerging along downtown Phoenix's Roosevelt St.]

December 2009 Exercise – Judd Servidio, Private Chef, Austin, TX

Surf a Turf

Sea Bass and Foie Gras with wild mushroom and brussels topped with fresno pepper “ravioli” on hollandaise and basil oil

To participate in the next exercise, please send an e mail to: jeffrey@bauscherinc.com

See all your favorite chefs’ collections of past submissions at the Deep Plate page on Facebook.  Please become a “Fan”.

http://deepplate.wordpress.com and “Deep Plate” on Facebook

sepatu wanita

Memakai sepatu rumput yang dibuat hanya untuk Anda.

Wasit sepak bola sepatu rumput yang persis itu. Mereka dibuat hanya untuk sepak bola resmi. Kebutuhan anda berbeda daripada seorang pemain sepak bola jadi sepatu sepak bola anda harus mencerminkan hal itu. Right

Gaya dan Fungsi

Kita semua ingin terlihat bagus di lapangan sepak bola. Tidak masalah jika kita adalah pemain sepak bola atau sepak bola resmi. Tetapi sebagai wasit sepak bola kita juga ingin memastikan bahwa kita mendapatkan kenyamanan dan sesuai yang kita butuhkan untuk mendukung kaki kami. Kau tahu bagaimana rasanya setelah Anda telah perwasitan sepanjang hari di sebuah turnamen. Mereka anjing lelah. Jadi Anda harus berharap sepatu rumput Anda untuk membantu Anda tidak menyakiti Anda.

Choices

Walaupun telah diakui bahwa seorang pejabat sepak bola khusus kebutuhan sepatu rumput hanya ada beberapa pilihan yang tersedia saat ini. Saya telah menemukan berikut

Diadora

Diadora Wasit sepak bola laki-laki BS sepatu rumput. Sepatu ini cocok sempurna dengan Diadora amp S pakaian wasit pilihan. Dirancang oleh wasit untuk wasit itu dibuat menggunakan

• Sebuah Suprelltech tahan air dan Double Mesh mesh atas untuk breathability sangat baik.
• peregangan anti-kapal dan anti-slip belakang kapal.
• Dan removable insole anatomi kapas dengan menyerap shock-busa EVA.

Mostly

• hitam putih di sepanjang sisi satunya.

ons

• berat.

Lotto

adidas Mundial Team Turf

Full-butir
• kulit untuk kenyamanan dan merasa sepatu wanita lembut.

Synthetic

• lapisan. EVA insole.
• Semua berwarna hitam kecuali garis-garis .
• tumit adiPrene menyisipkan untuk kenyamanan.
• outsole Traxion BS sepatu wanita untuk digunakan pada wilayah dan keras permukaan alam.
• Dibuat untuk wasit dan pemain.
• berat ons

Harga

Anda akan menemukan bahwa semua wasit sepak bola ini sepatu rumput secara wajar memiliki harga. Anda dapat menemukan mereka untuk di bawah sehingga semua ini akan menjadi pilihan yang cocok untuk resmi sepak bola.

Normally today would be Abby’s Blog but we promised our point information daily for 7 days. Today we overview:

Sustainable Sites :: 14.5 points achieved out of 22 points available::

This was another area where there were a lot of points available and very achievable as long as you applied the thought and planning and site stewardship to your plan. We hired John Carter, a local licensed landscape architect who not only brought his talent but his expertise and guidance to our landscaping plan and overall site design. John’s plan took everything into account from protecting the site during construction to redeveloping the lot when we were done. The piece of property we purchased had sat neglected for nearly 30 years when we took ownership. The few plants on the lot were choked with invasive vines and overgrowth, and slowly dying of disease. The turf was nothing more than crabgrass, riddled with scrub and burdened by undernourished, compacted soil.

John’s landscape design plan was created to both beautify the property and accent the house while rehabilitating the lot back to a healthy, thriving condition. Taking into account the guidance of LEED-H, our plan mandated that our turf area was seeded with a blended grass mixture of native, drought-tolerant, disease resistant seed with a deep root system to ensure a hearty lawn that required minimum irrigation and no chemicals. Our goal included reducing our irrigation demand by at least 60% from our baseline water usage, we achieved 59%.

Our efforts included reducing local heat island affects which means that are hard surfaces (which were minimized to a 120 sq/ft permeable entry walk) were a light-colored, high-albedo natural stone that had a Mixed color of light gray, pale beige, white stone pavers and a Solar reflectance range of .35 – .45 based on variations in shade and color; the thermal emittance was .9 for a Solar Reflective Index range of 38-52 (we had to be higher than 29).

Our surface water management plan called for our lot to be 100% permeable. We accomplished this through extensive landscaping, stepping stone walkways and a really beautiful soft beige pea stone driveway.

We took numerous considerations for nontoxic pest control including sealing external cracks and joints, requiring no wood-to-concrete connections, and having a solid surface concrete foundation.

Our one acre lot afforded us zero points for compact development, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Posted by KDL | follow me on Twitter: newscaster

An unexpected winter storm swept across parts of Tampa leaving behind a flurry of snow covered yards.  That’s right, snow in Florida.  On the grass.  Beautiful, fluffy white snow.

Looking for a little more of the holiday spirit? Maybe a snow-covered lawn wil help!

Okay, not exactly.  VIP Pest Control in Tampa is offering a unique service to customers this holiday season.  Their “Snow Service” can bring a little glimpse of snow to your 80 degree days.  I am not sure how popular the service is at this point, but I think they might be on to something.  One of the local news channels picked up the story and ran it on their site, which I am sure is good for business.

It’s really a fun and simple idea.  Many people, myself included, wish they had some visual indication that we are nearing the Holiday Season.  Those of us that have lived in northern climates often rely on freezing cold temperatures, slick roads, and, of course, snow.  I personally find it hard to believe that it is December already.  This might help.

You might be asking “But, how?”  It is simple.  They are using the same paints that are frequently used to paint the lines on athletic fields.  They are water-soluble paints that are safe for the turf and will not cause any long-term damage.

I came across an article in a recent email that details changes in a fertilizer ban currently in place in Pinellas County.  The article is an interesting read by itself when you consider the fact that very little effort is put into substantiating claims being made by certain environmental groups related to fertilizer use in the landscape.  The part that really caught my attention was the long list of comments left by people from the community that can be found at the bottom of the page.  Growing up in Idaho I know how important water availability and water quality can be and how easily the discussion can become heated.  It would be nice if people (reporters, general public, policy makers, etc) would be willing to make an effort to understand the research, both past and present, explaining nutrient uptake and fate in the urban landscape.  If they would, they would see that things like summer black-out periods for fertilization are not based on sound science and as such, are not good decisions for the environment.

Well, maybe not.  It is December 2nd and the high temperature today in Gainesville was around 79 degrees.  That is hard to beat.  However, the cool nighttime temperatures have resulted in a number of our warm-season turfgrasses beginning their transition to dormancy.  You do not have to look around much to realize that the grass has basically stopped growing.  Knowing that, I find it interesting to see how many landscape management companies still insist on MOWING!  In all fairness, there are a number of weeds that pop up this time of year that can be bothersome to homeowners.  Maybe they are trying to keep them mowed down.  Who knows.  The sad thing about this time of year is the fact that our grasses are going dormant which means we will be surrounded by a sea of brown yards.  Personally, I am considering overseeding my lawn with a cool-season turfgrass to add a little color (and a little piece of home, since I am originally from Idaho and I LOVE the feel of cool-season turfgrasses under my toes!).  Not that I would recommend everyone overseed their lawn for color.  It is risky – there is a pretty good chance that by planting a cool-season grass for winter color that you will actually injure or kill your warm-season turfgrass.  For some, this is a big risk to take.  I see it as an opportunity (excuse) to re-sod my yard.

13H30 – Folk – Ducth 20@1,24 – Karasakal + Spider boy +4,80

13H30 – Folk – placé inplay – Karasakal 30@1,40  +12

14H00 – Folk – Dutch 100@1,06 – Den of iniquity + Numide + The jazz musician  +6

14H00 – Folk – Dutch 15@1,45 – Den of iniquity + Numide  +6,75

14H20 – Fake – Dutch 30@1,22 – I have dreamed + Working title  +6,60

14H20 – Fake – placé inplay – Working title 30@1,20  +6

14H30 – Folk – Dutch 50@1,10 – Quartano + Lord Singer  +5

14H30 – Folk – placé – Quartano 100@1,13  +13

14H50 – Fake – Dutch 5@2,02 – Count boris + Petroglyph + Little firecracker +5,10

14H50 – Fake – Dutch 10@1,42 – Count boris + Petroglyph + Little firecracker + Pipers Legend  +4,20

14H50 – Fake – Dutch 50@1,25 – Count boris + Petroglyph + Little firecracker + Pipers Legend + Norman Beckett + Tarkesar  +12,50

14H50 – Fake – trade inplay – Petroglyph back 50@1,25 lay 1,10 +7,50

j’ai hésité à mettre Little Firecracker en placé @3,30

sous total +95,45

15H30 – Folk – Dutch 20@1,24 – Natural action + English jim + Over the flow + won more night  +4,80

j’ai hésité à mettre Natural action en placé @1,50

et à faire un dutch @1,58 – Natural action + English jim

15H50 – Fake – gagnant – The polomoche 20@1,28  +5,60

15H50 – Fake – placé – The polomoche 50@1,15  +7,50

15H50 – Fake – placé et gagnant – The Polomoche +48

16H10 – Wolv – gagnant – Ravi river 5@1,98  -5

16H10 – Wolv – placé – Ravi river 20@1,24  +4,80

16H40 – Wolv – dutch lay de 5,70 euros pour gain de 2 euros – lay as brave as you + second brook + jennerous blue + kyoatee kilt + tiger hawk + heligolan +2

********************************************************************

Date de départ : 26/11/09

Banque de départ : +1000

G/P du jour :  +157,15

Banque actuelle : +1447

NB : certains m’ont posé la question … donc je tiens à préciser que les trades inplay et offplay qui sont rajoutés après coup feront lieu d’un bilan séparé hebdomadaire pour que chacun puisse juger des résultats et trouver éventuellement le type de pari qui lui correspond le mieux (selon son temps dispo et/ou la rentabilité)

J’aime bien finir ma journée en allant voir un peu ce que demain nous réserve !

Donc, pour son côté pratique, je suis allé sur le site d’Adrian et me suis arrêté sur cette course http://www.adrianmassey.com/30/race12.php

Après une rapide analyse, on pourrait en déduire que les 2 grands favoris seront Ballygulleen et Mr Big !

Voyons leurs côtes respectives la veille à 22H30

Enroblim Trop a déjà fait de bonnes courses mais sans véritable régularité et sa dernière victoire date d’il y a un an

Nagam est plutôt en forme cette année … mais va trouver ici forte partie … ce qui justifie sa côte

Captain Aubrey n’a pas couru depuis 1 an mais on s’en méfiera car ce n’est pas un manchot et il peut très bien trouver ici une occasion de faire son retour ( suite à un entrainement sérieux dans ce sens notamment)

Helm n’a fait que 8 courses en 4 ans et ne s’est placé second dans sa dernière que parce qu’il courait avec des novices. Il ne me semble pas dangeureux

Maintenant revenons au sujet qui nous améne … le Offplay !

Offplay (ici à long terme) qui consiste donc à juger si une côte va baisser ou au contraire augmenter d’ici les quelques minutes qui vont précéder la course (ou même avant)

Ainsi on peut remarquer que 4 côtes tournent autour de @4,5. Ne nous intéressons pas à Ballygulleen et Mr Big qui sont tout de même les prétendus favoris même si le palmarés de Mr Big reste impressionnant au point qu’il en est mon favori

Reste Enroblim Trop et Captain Aubrey …

Comme je l’ai dit Captain Aubrey n’a pas couru depuis longtemps mais reste, à mon sens assez dangeureux pour un retour possible

Bon ben voilà … on pourrait se dire qu’on a trouver notre canasson à trader en Offplay … si on avait la science infuse !

Mais je pense qu’il vaut mieux se dire que les parieurs de demain vont faire la même analyse que nous et qu’il serait bien de tabler sur une hausse de la côte de Enroblim Trop d’ici demain et le layer dés la veille … afin bien sûr à ce moment là (une hausse de la côte constatée) de le backer (le lendemain donc) et ainsi faire un bénéfice “sans risque”.

Verdict demain !

4 hippodromes UK aujourd’hui auxquels on va s’intéresser !

Vous trouverez (dans l’ordre) … l’heure de la course + l’hippodrome + le type de pari + la sélection + ma mise + la côte jouée

13H10 – Muss – Dutch 10@1,72 – Strongpoint + Grand Union + Auberge  +7,20

13H10 – Muss – Dutch 2@2,22- Strongpoint + Grand Union  +2,40

13H40 – Muss – Dutch 10@1,34 – Regal lyric + beidh + New Tricks + Melange + Ravati  -10

14H00 – Newb – placé + Royal mix 50@1,15  +7,50

14H00 – Newb – gagnant – Royal mix 10@1,49  +4,90

14H00 – Newb – Trades – Royal mix back 150@1,38 lay 1,10 +38

14H20 – Ling – placé – Troopingthecolour 30@1,18  +5,40

14H30 – Newb – Dutch 10@1,30 – Rivaliste + Bobs dream + Ikorodu road + Princeful  +3

14H30 – Newb – placé – 30@1,50 – Rivaliste  +15

14H45 – Muss – Dutch 30@1,18 – Meath all star + Rossinis dancer + Hold fast + dooney rock  +5,40

14H45 – Muss – placé – Meath all star 20@1,28  +5,60

14H55 – Ling – Dutch 10@1,70 – Ever so bold + Gillburg + So surreal  -10

15H20 – Muss – placé – Haka Dancer 5@1,75  -5

15H30 – Ling – Dutch 30@1,24 – Jarrow + Tranfixed  +7,20

15H30 – Ling – gagnant – Jarrow 10@1,42  -10

15H30 – Ling – gagnant – Tranfixed  1@9,00  +8

15H30 – Ling – placé – Jarrow 40@1,14  -40

15H40 – Newb – gagnant – Punchestowns  10@1,32  +3,20

15H40 – Newb – placé – Punchestowns 30@1,17  +5,10

15H55 – Muss – Dutch 5@1,46 – Cybora + Higt bird + Motive + Little bob+ Mill house  -5

16H05 – Ling – Dutch 10@1,75 – Capone + Johnstown lad  -10

16H05 – Ling – Dutch 10@1,58 – Capone + Johnstown lad + Fazbee  -10

16H25 – Muss – Dutch 5@1,18 – Definite + World of events + Allow me +1

16H45 – Newb – Trade – Tocca back 30@14 lay @11  +11

16H45 – Newb – Trade inplay placé – Bellvano 50@1,20  +10

sous total +40

19H50 – Wolv – Dutch 5@1,47 – Kingsgate + Esuvia + Major monty + Darling buds  +2,35

20H20 – Wolv – Dutch 10@1,18 – King red + Inflammable + Spring fashion + Pure crystal  +1,80

20H20 – Wolv – Dutch 2@1,96 – King Red + Inflammable  +1,90

20H50 – Wolv – Dutch 5@1,75 – Street power + Southandwest + Ektimaal  -5

21H20 – Wolv – Dutch 5@2,28 – Vilnius + Future regime + Thewinnatalesitall +6,40

21H50 – Wolv – Dutch 5@1,68 – Spinning + One way or another + The fifth member  +3,40

22H20 – Wolv – Dutch 5@1,62 – Restless genius + Kipchak + Colombard  -5

22H20 – Wolv – placé – Restless genius 5@1,48  -5

******************************************************************

Banque de départ : +1000

G/P du jour : +40,85

Banque actuelle : +1139,75

hand with grass, care of environment

grass,holding,lawn,hand,backgrounds,green,plant,tuft,nature,human,field,environmental,turf,horizontal,land,outdoors,environment,meadow,sun,food

Pocket gophers are found throughout the Sonoran Desert where they easily dig soils, in riparian areas, washes, farms, parks and golf courses. Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents that get their name from the fur-lined external cheek pouches, or pockets, they use for carrying food and nesting materials. They will eat insects and worms. They are found at all elevations, but not usually in the hard soils of the desert. ProBest mainly deals with these pests in parks and soccer fields. We have actually been working on a school soccer field where 4 years ago there were 800 mounds and today less than 70 mounds but it is a constant struggle to keep at it. These pocket gophers are active year round, always digging and extending their tunnel systems and generally stay below ground except during mating season when they may travel above ground to get to a mate. They perform a valuable service in turning and aerating the soil, but on a gold course or soccer field they and cause damage to the turf and create holes that children can stumble in and break ankles or arms.

About 2 years ago we investigated a new device for putting the bait into the runways of these gophers and I’ll be the first to tell you it works. It dispenses the product into the ground and alleviates the possibility of contamination above ground. We also changed to a red seed type bait instead of the pellet bait, it holds up better and seems to control better. Kaput Diphacinone is an anticoagulant which takes 3 to 5 days, like all blood thinners, to kill the animal, thus no bait shyness. Because Diphacinone is a first generation anticoagulant, there is little or no risk of secondary toxicity. Unlike other anticoagulants, Diphacinone does not break down quickly and most baits formulated with it have been proven highly palatable and effective

Once pocket gophers have been controlled, you can monitor the area on a regular basis for re-infestation of the land. Level all existing mounds after the control program and clean away weeds and garden debris so fresh mounds can be seen easily. It is important to check regularly for re-infestation because pocket gophers may move in from other areas and damage can re-occur within a short time.

One final point – it generally takes a few times to control Pocket Gophers and anyone that says they can do it one treatment is pulling a fast one on you, unless you caught it early. You must be persistent and keep an eye out for them to return. If you have then your neighbor probably has them to, so you must work together. As always you can always call ProBest Pest Mangement 480-831-9328

Hey,

ce soir je suis allé voir au cinéma le deuxième volet du bien nommé Twilight (crépuscule en français), dont je me demande toujours pourquoi il porte ce nom… Et j’ai ici une confession à faire. J’avais aimé le “1″. Oui, mon petit coeur d’adolescente est bien caché quelque part et il est toujours sensible à ces histoires romantiques. Je le confesse. Là où le “1″ m’avait pris par surprise, j’ai été plutôt très déçu par le “2″. Non pas que je n’aime pas les histoires de vampires et tout, mais là c’est un petit peu trop. Après la période de “fascination”, cette fois c’était prétendument la “tentation”. Tu parles. La belle Bella qui aime d’amour le romantique vampire Edward, le préfère au loup-garou Jacob, tout ça avec un arrière-goût prononcé de Roméo et Juliette, c’est trop pour moi. Trop de clichés, trop de roses (enfin d’eau de rose), trop de love. Les jeunes filles y trouveront sûrement leur compte. Et je ne vous raconte ni le milieu ni la fin…

Et puis en rentrant chez moi, qu’apprends-je ? Un (nouveau) scandale, du côté de nos amis britanniques, cette fois. Je suis chaque semaine les épisodes de X Factor (beaucoup plus intéressant que chez nous). Cette fois, dans le bottom two, se retrouve l’un des favoris, le favori même selon les books anglais : Olly Murs. Face aux trublions éternels que sont les jumeaux John & Edward. Pas si éternels que ça puisqu’ils ont quitté le show ce dimanche. Un résultat peut-être fortement influencé par une histoire croustillante comme nos amis anglais les aiment tant. Une photo volée d’Olly est ressortie cette semaine. Elles ressortent toujours au bon moment ces photos impudiques. Il s’agit d’une photo du jeune homme prise lors de vacances de son ancienne vie, comprenez sa vie d’avant X Factor. Il est un peu dénudé mais rien de bien méchant. Du coup ça a dû échauder les bonnes consciences anglaises, qui pourtant savent se montrer peu farouches… La photo du scandale est là.

Ils ne sont plus que cinq si mes calculs sont bons. La fin est proche. Olly reste mon favori, avec Joe et Stacey.

Dans le show X Factor, à noter aussi la performance de Susan Boyle, de retour de Paris vraisemblablement (elle avait chanté au grand journal hier). Insipide ? Elle a été relookée déjà.

Susan Boyle avant

Susan Boyle après relooking (notez la braguette)

Mais la chanson est, comment dire… d’un autre temps, hein (ça s’appelle Wild Horses / Chevaux sauvages…). Voilà la vidéo :

Rien à voir, une de nos icônes sur les hippodromes : Maurice. Turfiste bien connu. Il pousse les chevaux avec son programme. En général c’est même directement le long de la balustrade. Il n’y a que lui qui sait quel cheval il pousse, mais il pousse Maurice, il pousse. ALLEZ !

C’est tout, pour le moment.

[Source: Arizona Republic editorial board] – A bit more than a year ago, downtown Phoenix business owners wondered out loud where all the Arizona State University students were.  There may have been more than 8,000 registered for classes downtown, they said, but they weren’t showing up in their shops and restaurants.  One year later… check that concern.  Parts of downtown, particularly the region north of the downtown ASU campus, are being overrun with Sun Devils.  Or perhaps it is simply young people in general. Whoever these kids are, they are beginning to swarm throughout central Phoenix in impressive numbers at last.

The most notable demonstration of the blossoming of the central city continues to be the First Friday events, of course.  On Nov. 5, the city closed off East Roosevelt from North Central Avenue to Seventh Street to traffic for the first time, allowing the throngs of attendees to overflow the streets without fear of automobiles.

The growing First Friday crowds and the widening ASU footprint have attracted entrepreneurs like Kyle Simone and Jeff Mann to open shops like their Phoenicia Association, a combination men’s clothier and art gallery.  The youth traffic persuaded restaurateur Wade Moises to open the popular PastaBAR at First Street and Pierce Street, in the same building with Sens Asian Tapas and the now popular Irish bar Turf.  [Note: Read the full article at Viewpoint: downtown Phoenix businesses finally scoring.]

UTVi news did a bit on Tote on the Turf that gives us a good look at how the restaurant turned out. I wouldn’t take the review too seriously though.

For as long as I can remember my dad has been going to the bog and cutting turf. Once a year, we get a delivery at home that has to be neatly stacked in an outside shed. The main bulk of it can be thrown into a heap inside but the walls have to be carefully constructed. I used hate to see the turf coming. It meant hours of back-breaking work after school when I’d rather have been reading. And never, in all these years, never once did I ever bother to go the bog with him – not once.

I was at home in September and he was heading over one evening to check the turf…to see if it was drying and to fix any stacks that had fallen. As we drove through the bog, he explained how various families were given plots during World War Two as coal supplies from Britain had stopped almost entirely. They would cut turf manually with a special spade called a sleán. Imagine, at that time, over six million tonnes of it was hand-cut. Once cut, the turf is stacked to dry. Neat rows lined up like sentinels, watching over each other as the air dries them out. And once dry, the turf is drawn. Cut, dry, and draw. That’s the order. A tradition that is centuries old and fast dying out.

The purple heathers and bog pools simmer, emitting a soft glow in the shadow of the setting sun. The place is deathly quiet. Surreal. For thousands of years, this turf has been growing. For hundreds of years, we have been cutting it and using it as fuel. And now, experts predict that in five years’ time, we’ll see the beginning of the end. Four bogs in Kildare alone are stopping turf-cutting. What then? What will happen to the tradition?

My dad works away, restacking fallen walls, checking that each sod is drying out. These strong hands  have built and made and sown and harvested. These hands have held mine to cross the road; they’ve shaken hands with mine in congratulations; they’ve worked to give me that innate sense of security that allows me to be who I am. As I listen to the silence, I am moved by the rhythm of his singlemindedness. As I watch him at work, I am ashamed that it has taken me so long to take the time to travel those five miles with him. And as I write this, I say a quiet prayer that he will be around to draw turf for many years to come. I promise myself that I will spend more time listening to what he has to say, lest the traditions disappear entirely.

Lawn Australia - Jimboombaturf

Turf is an area of grass maintained for decorative or recreational use, it is a layer of earth covered with grass; sod.  Artificial turf is a fabricated surface manufactured from synthetic materials, made to look like natural grass.

Turf has environmental benefits – reducing carbon dioxide, acting as an air conditioner and reducing soil erosion. Turf absorbs carbon from the atmosphere and stores it in the soil.  It has a greater ability to do this than trees, meaning it can also produce oxygen more efficiently.

Installed turf also helps the environment in other ways. Erosion is a top concern to everything from agriculture to beaches. On the front line, turf actually prevents the spread of erosion by maintaining a stronghold on the earth beneath it.

Another amazing factor is that most lawns will survive harsh sun or constant shade and neglect and will survive on grey water – further reducing the reliance on our clean water resources.

More so, turf will filter runoff water and trap pollutants before they have a chance to reach the rivers and streams – which helps to protect vegetation and ecosystems.

Curbing obesity? Yes, turf does that too. A green environment entices children and adults to engage in physical activities such as games, playtime or sports, paving the way for happier, healthier communities.

Grass can also cool us all down: As a natural air conditioner, the average sized lawn can produce the same cooling effect as nine tones of air conditioning, which is enough for around two houses! Walking barefoot in summer? Turf is around 10°C cooler than bare soil and 20°C cooler than asphalt and concrete.

With the ever-growing threat of bushfires, a turf or couch grass provides a natural barrier against the spread of fire and acts as another defense mechanism when protecting your home. If that is not reason enough, 20% value is added to your home when a lawn has been laid.

There are number of turf varieties, Lawns recreation, grass or couch and various ranges of premium options such as Sir Walter Turf Buffalo or Legend Couch, Wintergreen Couch. You can receive advice regarding your landscaping and lawn care needs, and in various price options.

For more information on Turf, Turf Brisbane, Lawn Australia, Sir Walter Turf visit – Jimboombaturf.com.au

Native plants typically have deep and extensive root systems which help them survive dry conditions and which effectively hold soil. By comparison cool season turf grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass at the far left in the illustration, have very shallow root systems which are much less effective in controlling erosion and withstanding severe drought. The root systems are a major part of the biomass provided by vegetation. Through photosynthesis these plants use carbon dioxide to create complex hydrocarbons, thereby enriching the soil and reducing the “greenhouse effect” of carbon dioxide.

Illustration courtesy EPA

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