Johnsons Lawn Seed set to reveal the science beneath the soil at Glee 2026
Futureproofing lawns against increasingly challenging growing conditions will be at the heart of Johnsons Lawn Seed’s presence at Glee 2026, as the brand urges retailers to look beyond what happens above ground and understand the science driving drought tolerance below the soil.
With climate stress firmly on the industry agenda, Johnsons will use the show to demonstrate how deeper-rooting grass varieties can help lawns withstand prolonged dry periods, recover more effectively after drought and remain healthier for longer.
What’s underneath matters: the root to improved drought tolerance
Johnsons’ parent company, DLF, has undertaken extensive drought trials and root screening to identify grass varieties capable of performing under climate stress. This research has helped shape lawn seed mixtures containing grasses such as amenity ryegrass and perennial ryegrass tetraploids, which develop deeper and stronger root systems.
By reaching further into the soil profile, these roots can access moisture that shallower-rooting grasses cannot, helping turf remain viable as surface soils dry out and supporting faster recovery once growing conditions improve.
For retailers, Johnsons believes this science provides an important opportunity to build customer confidence at a time when consumers are increasingly questioning how best to maintain their lawns through hotter, drier summers.
Guy Jenkins, Consumer Manager at Johnsons Lawn Seed, said: “The recent periods of heat and drought have been challenging for gardeners, and understandably many are looking for products that can help them create more resilient lawns.
“Retailers have an important role to play here. We can all read the claims on the side of a box, but explaining a little more about the science behind those claims can make a real difference to customer confidence. The resilience customers see above ground starts with what is happening below the surface.
“Understanding why cultivar choice matters, and why a deep, strong rooting system is so important, can help customers make more informed choices and ultimately achieve better results.”
Garden centre buyers and retailers can discover more about the science behind Johnsons Lawn Seed’s climate-resilient mixtures and the role deeper rooting can play in futureproofing British lawns at Glee 2026, Hall 19, stand F50-G51
Fortunately, homeowners don't need to replicate a stadium maintenance programme to benefit from professional-quality grass genetics.