Council Growers Sod

Elija, Travis, Amber and Rebecca Council

We are not new to the sod business, we are not a fly-by-night operation, and we don’t operate with a lot of fanfare.

Travis and Amber Council gave us a royal tour of their 500-acre Wimauma farm recently, where we picked up some helpful information about sod and the 12 varieties of grass and ground cover grown here. We learned that Council Growers has a distinct advantage over other farms due to their Wimauma and Parrish locations. This enables them to sell and service the entire Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties with generally lower freight charges and faster service for their wholesale, commercial and retail customers.

With changing times, people are getting tired of the restrictions that make it more expensive and more difficult than ever to maintain a beautiful lawn. Council Growers Sod can suggest some solutions that make it easier.

"While no sod is perfect, we will work with you to find a variety that will be the best for your yard and conditions."

What we do is grow our own grasses in sand-based soils that match yours. We understand the time and effort, care and pride that goes into maintaining a beautiful lawn because we put the same time, care, effort, and pride into the products we bring to you. We can supply anything from a few pallets for your yard; sprigs for your golf course—you name it. We offer pick-up at the fields, delivery to your location, and can arrange installation if needed. Our grass is cut day of or the afternoon before we deliver it or install the sod in your yard or at the project site.

Council's self-sustaining irrigation system in action.

Council's irrigation system collects water in round or "linear" ponds like the one shown above.

"Over four generations of the Council family have farmed in the Ruskin area. And at one time or another they have grown "everything in the fruit or vegetable bowl." The major crops they have farmed over the years have been cattle, tomatoes, citrus, and sod. The current farm was founded by Pat and Jean Council and to this day Pat and Jean serve as sounding boards and sources of wisdom and experience and the occasional tractor driver or bookkeeper when needed.

Council Growers works with research teams at the University of Florida and private organizations to produce new and better varieties that need less fertilizer, less care, and less water.

"People are getting tired of all the restrictions that make it more expensive and more difficult than ever to maintain a beautiful lawn. Travis informed us that the sod industry is diligently working on solutions. These days, there are already many more options and sod varieties to choose from. "While no sod is perfect, we will work with you to find a variety that will be the best for your yard and conditions. We offer a number of alternatives from the traditional grasses used in a Florida landscape."