Many turfgrasses are claimed to be drought-resistant.
However, if you’re looking for one that was specifically bred for this very trait, you’ll want to know about lovely, high-quality Tahoma 31 bermudagrass.
According to Sean Fong, owner of Hawaiian Turfgrass in Mililani, Tahoma 31 actually began in 2011 with a multistate research project devoted to improving drought resistance in bermudagrass.
“One of the researchers, a professor in grass breeding and genetics from Oklahoma State University named Dr. Yanqi Wu, worked with his team to breed two hardy plants from two of the world’s most unforgiving landscapes,” Fong says. “The ‘mother’ plant came from the east side of the Himalayas, and the ‘father’ was a finely-textured grass from a cold and arid place in South Africa.”
Tahoma 31, the hybrid offspring of those two hardy floras, is renowned for excellent drought resistance. “Compared to other bermudagrasses, it needs less water to thrive. It’s also known for its superior cold-hardiness, which isn’t something we worry about in Hawaii, but this grass will do well practically anywhere,” Fong says. “It’s traffic-tolerant, drought-tolerant, best in the bermudagrass world.”
Aboveground, Tahoma 31 is known for low vertical growth, which greatly reduces the need for frequent mowing. But beneath the surface of your lawn, this gorgeous species of bermudagrass will set deep, vast roots in the soil.
“Its extensive root system is believed to be exactly what gives Tahoma 31 the ability to survive, and even thrive, in times of drought,” Fong says. “This grass uses water with amazing efficiency.”
Lush and dense, fine-bladed and finely textured, Tahoma 31 is medium to dark green, and uniformly smooth. It establishes itself easily and fast, requires minimal maintenance, and tolerates lawnmower blade heights from 1/8 inches to 1 1/2 or 2 inches.
“Mowing weekly with your reel mower’s blade set very low is recommended if you want a surface like a putting green,” says Fong.
Resilient and forgiving, Tahoma 31 is known for improved wear tolerance. Thanks to its amazing root system, it uses less water to recover from wear. Not surprisingly, its popularity is increasing everywhere. This fine variety can now be found on major golf courses and professional sports fields, including several NFL stadiums and college facilities like the USC Coliseum, as well as public areas like the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
“It’s perfect for families with active keiki who love to play outdoors,” says Fong. “It feels just wonderful under bare feet, and pets love it, too!”
Hawaiian Turfgrass offers complete turnkey services for all its gorgeous turf-grass varieties: site prep, irrigation, delivery, and installation. Lovely Tahoma 31 is now available for homeowners who want a high-quality lawn! Call 808-371-0527 and order your new lawn (minimum 400 square feet) by June 30 for a $500 installation discount. Prefer to handle your own installation? Visit hawaiianturfgrass.com to place your order and arrange for pickup or curbside delivery.
HAWAIIAN TURFGRASS
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
CONTACT 808-371-0527
ADDRESS 94-840 Lanikuhana Ave., Mililani
WEB hawaiianturfgrass.com
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