Editor's Note: This is part of a monthly series of stories by the Community History Writers, a group of area individuals committed to documenting and writing about local history and the people, places and happenings that created the various communities within Morgan County. This volunteer group first came together to create, "Morgan County: A Land of Immigrants," a booklet detailing the area's immigration history; copies are available at Fort Morgan Library & Museum, among other places.

A unique two-story sod house once stood on the Eastern Plains of Colorado southwest of Orchard, not far from the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. And as long as it stood there, it served as a monument to the early pioneers' imagination, their industriousness and their ability to adjust and to innovate.

This two-story sod house used to stand near Orchard in Morgan County. It is shown in 1983. (Thelma Downing / Special to the Times)

The utility of, or the need for, the early sod houses is closely linked to the Homestead Era, as it played out to open and settle the American West.

Beginning in 1862 by virtue of a series of Homestead Acts, a citizen could become the owner of a tract of federal land by obtaining and "proving up" on a Homestead Application.

One of the several legal requisites of "proving up" and obtaining title was the requirement that a habitable house be built on the land.

Persons interested in Homesteading had to first file their intentions at the nearest Land Office. A brief check for previous ownership claims was made for the plot of land to be claimed, usually described by its survey coordinates.

The prospective homesteader paid a filing fee of $10 to claim the land temporarily, as well as a $2 commission to the land agent.

With the application and receipt in hand, the homesteader returned to the land to begin the process of building a home and working the land, as requirements for "proving up" at the end of five years.

When the time had passed and all requirements had been completed, the homesteader was ready, finally, to take legal possession.

Original post:
Morgan County had Colorado's only 2-story sod house

STOCKTON (CBS13) A Delta sod farmer knew the predictions were bad for California. Hes seen less rain each year. Ed Zuckerman, who comes from a family of farmers, wanted to stay in business, so for the last two years, Zuckerman watched grass grow.

These are truly drought-resistant turfs weve been developing.

Zuckermans Delta Bluegrass Company has researched a variety of native California grasses and experimenting with a blend of seeds to create new sod. Zuckerman said the company has come up with several lawn options that can remain emerald green year-round and require a lot less water.

So basically half of the water rate thats normally called for turf grass, said Zuckerman.

The grass isnt traditional grass currently covering many San Joaquin Valley home properties. It requires less mowing, but needs to grow long.

Let them [grass blades] grow up to about 18 inches and it lays over in a meadow look, said Zuckerman.So, its definitely slowly changing the look of the home lawn and the home landscape as time goes on.

The Delta Bluegrass Company does have a short grass. It requires just 30 percent of an average lawns water, but it has a catch in the spring season.

The only draw back on it is it produces a lot of beautiful white flowers which the bees love, said Zuckerman.

Zuckerman said drought-resistant grass will cost the property owner three times more than traditional lawn grass, but that the water savings could be a better investment. Zuckerman also said drought-resistant grass is an alternative to other drought tolerant lawns with lava rocks and cacti.

Your kids can still play on this stuff, Zuckerman said the blades may be longer, but the grass is still soft to the touch.

More:
Delta Sod Farmer Brings Drought-Resistant Turf That Requires Less Water To Stay Green

By U-T San Diego7:20 p.m.Nov. 6, 2014

Yarrow is a low-water, blooming alternative to turf grass.

Newer lawns that were installed as sod probably rely on a cool-season grass a high-water-use variety that needs 48 inches of water per year. In San Diego County, Mother Nature only provides about 10 inches of rain per year; most of the regions water is imported from the Colorado River or Northern California.

If youre looking for an alternative, experiment with ground covers such as a warm-season grass seeded with clover. Clover offers the additional benefit of adding nitrogen to the soil. Or, try yarrow as a ground cover to create a lush, green setting with multicolored flowers in the spring. For walkable ground covers, try dymondia margaretae, also known as silver carpet.

Several local nurseries sell California-friendly and native plants. Also, check out the California Native Plant Society, the Water Conservation Garden and the San Diego Botanic Garden.

Go to WaterSmartSD.org for more gardening resources, including turf removal rebates.

More here:
Alternatives for thirsty turf grasses

The Fort Bliss National Cemetery sustained some damage from Monday morning's rainfall. The northeast was hit by over five inches of rain. (MARK LAMBIE / EL PASO TIMES)

The El Paso City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday asking the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration to replace the xeriscaping at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with grass and sod.

Since xeriscaping began at the cemetery in 2006, "every heavy rain event in El Paso results in widespread damage to the grave sites and tombstones," the resolution states. In the past two years alone, "1,600 graves were damaged at Fort Bliss National Cemetery," it states.

A spokesperson for Fort Bliss National Cemetery was unavailable for comment. More than 50,000 people are buried at the cemetery at 5200 Fred Wilson Drive.

Ray Rivera, an Army veteran who addressed the City Council, said that of the 131 national cemeteries across the country, only three others are xeriscaped.

"We were told before that the change was necessary in order to conserve water, but it may be costing more to repair the damaged graves and areas to the cemetery," Rivera said.

Rivera said he believed smaller, private cemeteries don't have the same problems to the degree that exist at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, and that one of them uses a small reservoir to store water.

City Rep. Carl Robinson, a veteran, said he and others led a charge to keep the grass at the cemetery before the xeriscaping was installed.

"We're dealing with a big bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., which needs to be persuaded to do this," Robinson said. "Input from many veterans and from additional members of Congress will be needed."

City officials said they have received complaints that relatives of veterans buried at the cemetery can't kneel around the tombstones because of the gravel that replaced the grass.

Continue reading here:
Council passes resolution to put grass at Fort Bliss National Cemetery

The Fort Bliss National Cemetery sustained some damage from Monday morning's rainfall. The northeast was hit by over five inches of rain. (MARK LAMBIE / EL PASO TIMES)

The El Paso City Council today unanimously approved a resolution asking the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration to replace the xeriscaping at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with grass and sod.

Since xeriscaping began at the cemetery in 2006, "every heavy rain event in El Paso results in widespread damage to the grave sites and tombstones," the resolution states. In the past two years alone, "1,600 graves were damaged at Fort Bliss National Cemetery," it states.

Ray Rivera, an Army veteran who addressed the City Council today, said that of the 131 national cemeteries across the country, only three others are xeriscaped.

"We were told before that the change was necessary in order to conserve water, but it may be costing more to repair the damaged graves and areas to the cemetery," Rivera said.

Rivera said he believed smaller, private cemeteries don't have the same problems to the degree that exist at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, and that one of them uses a small reservoir to store water.

City Rep. Carl Robinson, a veteran, said he and others led a charge to keep the grass at the cemetery before the xeriscaping was installed.

"We're dealing with a big bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., which needs to be persuaded to do this," Robinson said. "Input from many veterans and from additional members of Congress will be needed."

City officials said they have received complaints that relatives of veterans buried at the cemetery can't kneel around the tombstones because of the gravel that replaced the grass.

State Sen. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, commissioned experts from the University of Texas at El Paso, to study the soil at the cemetery to find what's causing the graves to sink and headstone to fall over--and whether the rain is solely responsible for this.

Read this article:
El Paso City Council approves resolution asking for grass, sod at Fort Bliss cemetery

........................................................................................................................................................................................

The Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department finds itself in the uncomfortable position of sounding like the ill-tempered neighbor down the block who shakes his fist and yells, Hey you kids, stay off of my lawn!

Of course, the kids theyre yelling at are adults, and theyre not just stepping on the lawn, theyre playing tackle football and tearing up the newly laid sod.

In September, just more than six acres of sod was put down at Vista del Norte Park on Osuna, west of Jefferson NE. The roots need to be established before team sports can be played on it, sometime in spring, said Alex Kiska, the recreation division manager for the city parks department.

Were not telling people to stay off the grass. Its fine to walk on it, have a picnic there, throw a Frisbee, fly a kite or walk your dog on a leash across it. We just need to give the grass an opportunity to establish itself and extend its root system before we have rough activities on it.

To be clear, the stakes are higher than some kid chasing an errant ball across a neighbors lawn. The cost for the sod and labor to install it was just under $100,000, and that doesnt count the cost of land preparation and the irrigation system, said David Flores, planning and design division manager for city parks.

For the past three weeks, a rogue football league has taken it upon themselves to use that field for their games, and theyve been tearing up the turf with their cleats, Kiska said.

Weve asked them not to use the field, weve placed signs there saying no league play until spring and weve told them we have plenty of other parks in town that they can use if they register, Kiska said. We can find a park for them.

Nevertheless, the Parks and Recreation Department has continued to get reports of intermittent football games there, most recently last Sunday.

One football team that has used the park has been identified as part of the Wolf Pack league. Sam Boughter, a coach with one of the teams, acknowledged that he was contacted by city Parks and Rec officials and told that the sod hadnt been established and we couldnt use it for games yet.

Read more:
Foul called on football players at ABQ park

By Aaron Martinez

El Paso Times, Texas (MCT)

Published: November 1, 2014

(MCT)The El Paso City Council on Tuesday will discuss and vote on a resolution urging officials at Fort Bliss National Cemetery to replace the xeriscaping with grass and sod.

The efforts from city officials comes after U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, encouraged them to get involved in bringing grass back to the cemetery, city Rep. Cortney Niland said.

"The Congressman (O'Rourke) has asked if the city would draft a resolution for his initiative to turn the cemetery back to grass, which I feel would be very deserving to these brave veterans who served our county," Niland said. "They deserve a place to rest that is beautiful and when their families come to visit them, they can feel we have given them the respect they deserve."

Since the cemetery was xeriscaped in 2006, many veteran organizations and government officials, including O'Rourke and state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, have asked the National Cemetery Administration, who oversees Fort Bliss National Cemetery, to bring grass back.

"We are one of a very small number of cemeteries that are xeriscaped, in other words, they have sand and gravel instead of grass at our veterans' gravesites," O'Rourke said. "What I have heard most from veterans and widows, widowers and family members of veterans buried at Fort Bliss, is that they would like to once again have grass. They feel it is more befitting of a cemetery."

There are more than 50,000 people buried there.

Ame Callahan, director of the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, said the xeriscaping was installed in to help save water because it took about 62 million gallons of water to maintain the grass a year.

See more here:
Texas City Council to vote on resolution to put grass back at Fort Bliss National Cemetery

State Rep. Joe Moody, middle, professors Diana Doser and Lixin Jin talk with Fort Bliss National Cemetery officials. (By Aaron Martinez / El Paso Times)

The El Paso City Council on Tuesday will discuss and vote on a resolution urging officials at Fort Bliss National Cemetery to replace the xeriscaping with grass and sod.

The efforts from city officials comes after U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, encouraged them to get involved in bringing grass back to the cemetery, city Rep. Cortney Niland said.

"The Congressman (O'Rourke) has asked if the city would draft a resolution for his initiative to turn the cemetery back to grass, which I feel would be very deserving to these brave veterans who served our county," Niland said. "They deserve a place to rest that is beautiful and when their families come to visit them, they can feel we have given them the respect they deserve."

Since the cemetery was xeriscaped in 2006, many veteran organizations and government officials, including O'Rourke and state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, have asked the National Cemetery Administration, who oversees Fort Bliss National Cemetery, to bring grass back.

"We are one of a very small number of cemeteries that are xeriscaped, in other words, they have sand and gravel instead of grass at our veterans' gravesites," O'Rourke said. "What I have heard most from veterans and widows, widowers and family members of veterans buried at Fort Bliss, is that they would like to once again have grass. They feel it is more befitting of a cemetery."

There are more than 50,000 people buried there.

Ame Callahan, director of the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, said the xeriscaping was installed in to help save water because it took about 62 million gallons of water to maintain the grass a year.

"In 2006, we had a study done, because we maintain a national shrine, we have very high standards for our cemetery and we just could not keep the grass green," Callahan said. "We used about 62 million gallons of water a year from the aquifer that El Paso residents are using. That, along with energy concerns and the fact that the aquifer is looking to dry up (is why we changed to xeriscaping). Our job is to honor our veterans and their families with dignity and respect in their final resting place. So with that, we decided to go with xeriscaping."

According to Callahan, it could cost about $12 million to put grass back and to maintain it.

View post:
City Council to vote on resolution to put grass back at Fort Bliss National Cemetery

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) October 31, 2014

In keeping with their DIY series of lawn care videos, Super-Sod filmed a new video and released it October 2014 to coincide with Tall Fescue grass planting season. It's called "How-to Plant a New Tall Fescue Lawn from Grass Seed" and can be found on YouTube, supersod.com, and linked herein.

The video applies to seeding any new Tall Fescue Lawn, but it was produced to support Super-Sod's Elite Tall Fescue brand. Every year, a team of Super-Sod's experts selects the best three Tall Fescue varieties for the Southeast resulting in their own blend marketed as Elite Tall Fescue.

Tall Fescue is a cool season lawn --- that means it begins to grow again as temperatures cool in the autumn. Now is the time of year when already established Tall Fescue lawns are overseeded. Overseeding is the process of distributing grass seed over an existing lawn to freshen up the lawn and fill in thinning patches with vigorous new seedlings.

Autumn is also the time of year when completely new Tall Fescue lawns are created from scratch. Since creating a new lawn from seed is a more involved process than overseeding, Super-Sod's video was filmed to demonstrate the process step-by-step to support homeowners in the endeavor of growing a new Elite Tall Fescue lawn from seed.

Super-Sod is a family-run business that employs experts in turf and horticulture. One of their most popular products has been their Soil3 organic compost, delivered in a cubic yard BigYellowBag, which they make partially from composted grass clippings from their sod production. Super-Sod continues to develop new garden products, foster gardening and landscaping, and always seeks to improve their farming practices, technology, environmental stewardship, and employee knowledge.

Visit link:
Super-Sod Filmed a New Video for DIY Planting of Elite Tall Fescue Grass Seed

Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) October 30, 2014

Super-Sod welcomed aboard Matt Torrence, who will be based out of their Gwinnett County store at 609 Airport Road, Lawrenceville, Georgia. He will serve the Northeast Georgia region as sales representative and in customer support. His main products are Super-Sod's turfgrass brands Zenith and Emerald Zoysia, TifGrand and Tifway Bermuda, TifBlair Centipede, and Elite Tall Fescue. He will also represent their supporting products: turfgrass seed, Allett reel mowers for homeowners and landscapers, Soil3 organic compost, and Doc's Raised Garden Kits.

Matt comes to the company with 3 years experience in horticulture, in both production and sales. Prior to his career as a horticulturist, he served in the United States Coast Guard and was based in Charleston, Norfolk, and San Francisco. With his wife, Emma, they now reside in Statham where they are preparing to welcome their first baby in December. Matt likes to stay busy and keeps bees as a hobby.

Super-Sod is a family-run business that employs experts in turf and horticulture. One of their most popular products has been their Soil3 organic compost, delivered in a cubic yard BigYellowBag, which they make partially from composted grass clippings from their sod production. Super-Sod continues to develop new garden products, foster gardening and landscaping, and always seeks to improve their farming practices, technology, environmental stewardship, and employee knowledge.

See the original post:
New Hire Announcement: Super-Sod Hired a New Sales and Customer Service Representative for Georgia