One of the Council’s Corporate Sponsors submitted a Project in 2008 for our Five Year Plan of Work. The project involves growing more ornamental perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) on clay settling areas of Polk County and selling the “Peanut CHIP” as an affordable tansfer mechanism for homeowners. The company is called CSF Turf and its project tested the “CHIP” from 1998 to 2001 planting over 70 yards for homeowners and businesses in mainly central FL. The CHIP contains the rhizomes which are removed in a 4″ diameter plug surrounded by phosphatic clay which is loaded with nutrients other than Nitrogen. The FL DOT also purchased 3000 CHIPs in 2001 for an I-95 Rest Stop south of Jacksonville.
Why Ornamental Perrenial Peanut? This lawn in Lake Mary, Florida (Seminole County), was established in 1997 at Susan Grist’s home by the then Extension Horticulture Agent using rhizomes with green tops. The results are what you see in the picture 13 years later. Susan was recently called and said her lawn is as good as gold – no fertilizer, little mowing and lots of flowers during the warm season. No insect control and no disease. A turf? yes! It has finally been given the designation of “turf” by the UF Environmental Horticulture Dept. Chairman. After all these years it’s beginning to grow!