Media Contact: Stacie Zinn
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Thursday, June 18, 2009): UltimateFlora® Zoysia grass from Environmental Turf was spotlighted before a nationwide audience on NBC’s TODAY Show on Monday, June 15th. In partnership with DIY Cable Network’s Desperate Landscapes home improvement television show, the TODAY Show held a national contest to find America’s Most Desperate Landscape and offered a free home exterior and lawn makeover to a lucky homeowner. Cliff and Kimberly Dees of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, whose home was considered an eyesore in their neighborhood, were the winners of the contest. UltimateFlora® Zoysia grass was chosen as the state-of-the-art lawn that capped off the project that also included a new driveway, paint, trees, plants, water feature and shutters on the house. During the live broadcast on NBC, TODAY Show Host Ann Curry, along with Desperate Landscapes Host Jason Cameron, discussed the many benefits of the grass. They touted UltimateFlora® Zoysia’s low water requirements, resistance to the chinch bug insect and its drought tolerance. Homeowner Cliff Dees even took his shoes off to demonstrate how soft the grass feels underfoot. During the live broadcast, Cameron described UltimateFlora® Zoysia in this way: “This is a new species of grass that does well in the Florida heat, in the climate. It’s chinch bug resistant, it’s very comfortable underfoot (which is important) because the other grasses around here are very uncomfortable … It really is beautiful.” Currry said, “It’s stunning, really stunning. Bottom line is, is that grass just specifically good for Florida or is it good for other places in the country as well? To which Cameron replied, “No, it’s good for other places in the country, any place that has drought conditions, it’s really drought tolerant, less watering with it, less mowing with it, it’s a new species, but it does really well in these climates because it just holds up well to the elements. And its very comfortable unlike other types of grass you have in Florida.” At that point, homeowner Cliff Dees took off his shoes, ran his toes through the grass, and said, “Feels nice to walk with your bare feet.” To watch the TODAY Show video segment, go to: www.environmentalturf.com/grasses_ultimate.html In addition to the TODAY Show coverage, more footage of the home and landscape makeover will be shown on Thursday, June 25, 2009, at 9 p.m. on Desperate Landscapes on the DIY Cable Network. Developed by the University of Florida, UltimateFlora® Zoysia is drought resistant and has natural defense systems built into the grass that allow it to survive for short periods without water. Medium-bladed and soft underfoot, UltimateFlora® Zoysia was developed by the University of Florida to replace St. Augustine grass in home lawns and common areas. It may also be used on golf courses. It requires less water and less fertilizer and may be mowed less often than St. Augustine grass. It is fairly salt tolerant and it resists the chinch bug insect which is a major pest in St. Augustine lawns. Based in Avon Park, Florida, Environmental Turf works with researchers and universities all over the world to develop environmentally friendly grasses for use in home lawns, common areas, sports fields and golf courses. UltimateFlora® Zoysia is available through Environmental Turf’s network of licensed sod producers. For more information or to find a licensed sod farm near you, call 863-452-6595, or visit www.environmentalturf.com , find Environmental Turf on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Avon-Park-FL/Environmental-Turf-Inc/72856304250
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