Can’t Play, But Can Garden
June 30, 2010 – 10:10 amThere is no Canadian team in the FIFA World Cup. We just don’t seem to be able to get it together. Really, no better excuse.
But there is a Canadian team supporting the FIFA World Cup that you might not know about. About 100 farmers, all from Manitoba grew the beautiful green grass for the FIFA World Cup stadiums. While the farmers might not be in as great shape as the pros, they are the best in the world at growing rye grass.
Pickseed is the Ontario-based company that contracts the farmers in Manitoba, and others in Canada and the US to grow the grass. And Pickseed scientists have been working with South Africa soccer officials to select the best grass mix to stand up to the rigours of pro soccer. The results? World Cup grass made up of two types of rye grass grown mainly in Manitoba and two types of Kentucky blue grass grown mainly in the US.
Now the rye grass grows quickly, is strong and holds up well in cold weather – what else could you expect from a Canadian grass. The bluegrass “knits” the turf together and repairs itself quickly. Put them together, 85 per cent rye to 15 per cent blue and you get perfect grass for soccer. The grass seed, all 165,000 pounds of it, was shipped to South Africa last fall.
So, as the tourny heats up and we all watch some of the underdogs survive and the leading team stumble, I’m confident that the Manitoba grass will make it to the finals.
One Response to “Can’t Play, But Can Garden”
Very interesting!
By Sheila on Jun 30, 2010