turf block and right type of grass

lummus – posted 02 December 2004 06:19

i’m designing a driveway and parking lot for a park in downtown miami and I’m interested in using some type of precast paver that would allow for grass to grow in-between. the park is currently sodded with good ‘ol st. augustine.I’ve been considering “turfstone” by Belgard and “Checker Block” by Hastings Pavers.My questions are:1. given root structure of st. augustine (runners), is there a product that allows for healthy growth2. since the “open squares” are roughly 3″x3″ would the grass actually grow in such small patches?thanks

cohiba – posted 03 December 2004 11:35

lummus,

Take a quick look at E.P Henry “Monoslab” pavers. They are a little more open on the tops and may give you more room for the runners/stolons. I will try to find the website and provide a link. These pavers are made by a company local to me and I use them all the time. I haven’t used the monoslab pavers yet but intend to expand a parking lot with in the next two years.

Hope this helps……………..

cohiba – posted 03 December 2004 11:50

Lummus,

Go to www.ephenry.com and click on the hardscaping link.

Good luck……………….

javs88 – posted 06 December 2004 17:55

thanks for the info, cohibai’ll check out the link and let you know what i find.

lummus – changing to javs88

javs88 – posted 07 December 2004 08:47

Cohiba,I compared both the H.P. Henry Monoslab you suggested and the Hastings’ “Checker Block”.The latter seems to have more of a depression where the grass can jump through from cell to cell. I can not tell from the website pics whether the Monoslab’s ribs go all the way down thus preventing such growth.

You say you’ve used the Monoslab pavers before, what part of the country, and what type of grass have you used with them?

Thanks.

check out hastings’ “checker block” at http://www.hastingspavers.com/chblock.html

cohiba – posted 13 December 2004 17:49

Javs88,Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was in Atlantic City at the New Jersey Turfgrass Association Expo. A good trade show with lots of education. Seminars on everything from sports fields to updates on university research.

Any way, I think the Hastings look a little more open from the pics. That would favor your warm season grasses. The monoslabs look as though they would handle more weight. I haven’t used either but will be using the monslabs in southern NJ. Hopefully next summer, if the funding comes in.

Good luck and let me know how you make out………………….