Brown Grass Brings Big Cash

Many homeowners are finding themselves in similar circumstances, with much of Florida abnormally dry or experiencing a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor Web site. Experts said recent rainstorms haven't been enough to slake the thirst of parched plants.

But the shriveled lawns frustrating local residents and others across the country are providing business opportunities for companies in the irrigation business. Some firms that sell sprinkler systems and equipment have seen business double in the past few weeks, with the state in its seasonally driest time.

Irrigation is an almost $5-billion-a-year business, with its three main revenue arms in landscape, agriculture and golf courses, according to the Virginia-based Irrigation Association. The landscape piece of that pie is about $2 billion a year.

Florida plays a major role in irrigation, and is the "second- or third-largest irrigated state in the country, behind California and Texas," said Tom Kimmell, executive director of the Irrigation Association. The trade association has 1,600 members, trains companies in that industry, and advises state and local government bodies about more-efficient water practices.

Kimmell said Florida is particularly vulnerable to droughts because "it's a big sand pile. When you put water on, if the plants don't take it out, it just evaporates or goes down into the aquifer. Loose sand requires more frequent watering."

True, Kimmell is cognizant that many parts of the state can average 50 inches of rain or more a year, but that precipitation "doesn't fall as much from February through June. Florida is in its driest time right now, and if the thunderstorms don't start on time, it can get quite severe quite quick."

And those recent storms that have drenched Brevard are welcome, but likely not enough, he said.

Why?

A very "hard rain" in an area could mean about 11/2 inches, which is beneficial for only about five days, Kimmell said. "If it doesn't rain again soon after that, you need to be watering something. You need sustained rains for a couple of weeks to build up the reserves."

Those short bursts of rain not happening as frequently as needed could explain why William "Hank" Walters, co-owner of Melbourne-based B & B Irrigation and Landscaping Inc., is so busy. He said business has jumped 50 percent in recent weeks.

"There is always a surge in business around this time of year," he said. "We tend to see a lot more work when it's drier. The economy better and the construction going on is also helping business."

Consumers having money to spend is vital for the irrigation business because "you don't need an irrigation system. It's easy to sell someone a car because they need it. Our industry is very dependent on the economy," Walters said.

Overall, he said, his business is up about 30 percent for the year, compared with last year.

He added that sprinkler systems typically last about 15 years.

At C & T Irrigation in Cocoa, business increased 30 percent in recent weeks, mainly because of the "building going on in the county and because it has been so dry. We are desperate to get some of the summer rain," company president and owner Chuck Gatlin said.

That rain is in such demand because lawns can turn brown in as short as a week, said Silas Ford, a local spokesman in TrueGreen Chemlawn LLC's Melbourne office.

"It doesn't take long at all," he said. "Turf grass is a living organism, just like us. If you go days without water, you dehydrate. The same thing happens to grass."
There are more than just aesthetic reasons to keep a lawn watered, said Brevard County Fire-Rescue spokesman Orlando Dominguez.

"Proper watering will reduce the dryness in the lawn and lessen the chance of that yard sparking something," he said. "Follow your city policy. But, if a brush fire is in the area threatening your home, we encourage watering."