Hot summer boosts demand for turf rolls in Switzerland

Demand for roll-out turf has risen after heat and drought damaged lawns across Switzerland, SRF reports. Producers say they are receiving more orders and short-notice requests than usual for autumn.

Land and turf producer Roland Zahnd, whose fields are near Wünnewil, is among those facing a busy season. Many customers are turning to turf rolls after reseeding fails or they decide they cannot wait for a new lawn to grow.

Zahnd’s turf grows for about two years. It is regularly fertilised and watered, and mown up to three times a week. At harvest, a machine cuts the grass and its roots into strips, rolls them up and places them on pallets for transport.

Lisbeth and Benno Roggo had turf laid in their garden after heat and construction work left the ground bare. Their gardener, Erich Kaderli, said a seeded lawn can take more than two months before it is ready to use, while roll-out turf can be used after about two weeks. Both options need good care, he said, but turf rolls cost more, particularly for larger areas.

Kaderli said his business is busy repairing lawns damaged by the dry, hot summer and has a long waiting list. Zahnd said newer grass varieties can cope with temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius and expects that development to continue. He believes lawns will still have a future despite climate change.