Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board
May 25, 2011
St. Augustine grass is common on Florida's lawns, but it requires heavy watering and chemical treatments to stay healthy. Florida's water supply is running short, and critics like Sentinel columnist Mike Thomas say the chemicals pollute the state's groundwater and lakes, which threatens the health of people and wildlife. Do you think the environmental harm from St. Augustine grass is overblown, or do you think local or state governments should ban it? Should Floridians turn to alternatives for their lawns, like native grasses or ground covers? Does the government even belong in this debate? Talk about it!
(click on green link above to vote at the Sentinel's website)
What do you think?
Should St. Augustine grass be banned in Florida?
Yes. To stay healthy and green it takes huge amounts of water, a diminishing resource in Florida. We don't have enough water to waste on St. Augustine grass.
No. Compared with alternatives like ground cover, bushes or stones, grass is much more practical, especially for kids and pets, and much more pleasing to the eye. And it's a tradition in Florida.
Yes. Fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals dumped on St. Augustine grass are poisoning Florida's groundwater and lakes.
No. Environmentalists are exaggerating the harm from St. Augustine grass. Besides, it's none of government's business what kind of plants I choose to have on my lawn
(Currently 60% of respondents have chosen the two yes answers above)
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