Underscoring its dedication to water stewardship in the communities where it operates, ScottsMiracle-Gro took a proactive step in October 2024 by joining the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) as a fully independent seed producer member.
The TWCA, a 501 c(3) nonprofit committed to water conservation and preserving the ecological benefits of turfgrass in the managed environment, relies on the third-party peer review of objective data to qualify only those turfgrasses that demonstrate a statistically significant water saving potential over conventional varieties of the same species. By testing with research collaborators in locations across North America, the TWCA eliminates confounding factors such as soil type, heat, and pest management from the results.
The TWCA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is committed to promoting water conservation and preserving the ecological benefits of turfgrass in managed landscapes. The alliance employs a rigorous third-party peer review process of objective data to qualify only those turfgrass varieties that demonstrate a statistically significant potential for water savings compared to conventional varieties of the same species. By conducting tests with research collaborators across North America, the TWCA effectively eliminates variables such as soil type, heat, and pest management from influencing the results.
“Water conservation is the single most important challenge facing the lawn and landscape sector today,” said Michael Diamond, ScottsMiracle-Gro western state government affairs manager and new member of the TWCA Board of Directors. “Scotts believes a combination of good genetics and appropriate maintenance enables consumers and communities to conserve water while keeping beneficial living landscapes.”
Turfgrass cultivars that achieve TWCA qualification must meet or exceed established standards for drought tolerance across all testing locations for a minimum of two years. Furthermore, products seeking to carry the TWCA seal must contain at least 70% TWCA-qualified material.
“As a member of TWCA, ScottsMiracle-Gro gains access to a broader portfolio of grasses, such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass or Bermuda grass, that have been vetted through that organization as being more drought tolerant than other varieties of the same species of grass,” said Lance Melnichenko, brand director of next-gen lawns.
