Summer in Sept! Increasing Drought Stress, Consistently Hot, and an Illinois Native Prairie Demo
The heat is on. The Midwest has become soil-cracking dry. A far cry from the wet, saturated soil conditions which meant we were green and lush about July — although multiple root rots were problematic. In September, consistent heat (13 consecutive days with 80+ degree highs) with no appreciable rainfall (2+ weeks without precipitation) means the landscape has a different look. Without irrigation, cool season turfgrass is now brown and dormant. Drought is now the primary driver impacting plant health and another root-related issues. For example, annual white grubs that feed on turf roots have taken center stage. Chicago is not alone. A U.S. Drought Monitor map shows multiple states are increasingly experiencing drought. A month ago (Aug 13) three states of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana were completely free of drought. Today (Sep 17), moderate drought is impacting significant portions of both Illinois and Indiana (shades of orange).
At times like this we are reminded of what is drought tolerant (tall fescue & zoysiagrass) and what is not (annual bluegrass). Newer turf varieties we now use are carefully selected for multiple genetic traits. Though we often mention disease resistance (dollar spot vs creeping bentgrass) there are other needs. One that will continue to make a ‘big splash’ for future generations is drought tolerance. For that information and more the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) provides data which represents all turfgrass species. In other developments, golf course superintendents are increasing their use of native out-of-play areas. These areas are able to look good no matter what the weather does. In part that’s because we are using drought tolerant species (fescues et al.). But also it’s because we are using well-adapted species which represent our local grasses and forbes (mixtures of native prairie plants). Now is a good time to take a look at long grasses in “natural areas”. You’ll get an ecology lesson and also see plants well-adapted for both heat and drought tolerance. A perfect fit for the game of golf.
Weather
Native Prairie Forbes and Grasses Demonstration Study by Shehbaz Singh, MS
The FairWays Foundation has generously funded a native prairie forbes and grasses demonstration study that is being conducted at Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL. “The FairWays Foundation directly funds local and global projects that advance the conservation of our natural resources. These projects help preserve the environment we live and work in while encouraging education and stewardship within our industry and wider communities.”
Acknowledgement of Expert Advice
All plants used were selected (and planted) with the help and consultation of Dave Ward.
Reference
Ward, Dave. A new use for old bunker sand. GCM Online, Apr 30, 2020.
Planting Details
We enlisted Dave Ward’s advice and direction. Dave is the former golf course superintendent of Coyote Run Golf Course in Homewood, IL. Nursery seedlings of all plant species were purchased from Possibility Place Native Plant Nursery (Monee, IL) were transplanted on June 6, 2024. We did not use a specific design. Instead, planting sites were randomly chosen and some locations would represent groups of similar species. Transplanted seedlings were heavily watered immediately after planting and were continuously watered every 3 days during June. Rainfall was plentiful during July and good establishment was attained by August. During a dry period in September the demonstration study was able to persist without supplemental irrigation.
Data
Approximately every 14 days we collected information on the rate of establishment and other aspects that are of interest.
- Plant height (inches)
- Plant width (inches)
- Number of flowers
- Flower color
- Presence of pollinators
Large Flowering Plant Observations — 3 months age on Sep 12, 2024
Swamp Milkweed
- 35 in x 35 in
- Pink flowers, 2.5 avg. number
Purple Corn Flower
- 22.5 in x 15 in (H x W)
- Purple flowers, 4.5 avg. number
Prairie Blazing Star
- 29 in x 12 in (H x W)
- Purple flowers, 1 avg. number
Purple Corn Flower
- 22.5 in x 15 in (H x W)
- Pink flowers, 4.5 avg. number
Spotted Bee Balm
- 36 in x 32 in (H x W)
- White flowers, 85 avg. number
Elm-Leaved Goldenrod
- 26 in x 15 in (H x W)
- Yellow flowers, 16 avg. number
Sky Blue Aster
- 22 in x 21 in (H x W)
- Purple flowers, 375 avg. number
Culver’ Root
- 36 in x 7 in (H x W)
- White flowers, 6.5 avg. number
Small & Medium Flowering Plant Observations — 3 months age on Sep 12, 2024
Butterfly Weed
- 12 in x 18 in (H x W)
- Orange flowers, 30 avg. number
Whorled Milkweed
- 17 in x 16 in (H x W)
- no flowers to date
Sand Coreopsis
- 13 in x 27 in (H x W)
- Yellow flowers, 32.5 avg. number
Purple Prairie Clover
- 10 in x 12 in (H x W)
- Purple flowers, 1 avg. number
Ohio Spiderwort
- 19 in x 19 in (H x W)
- Blueish purple flowers, 19.5 avg. number
Golden Alexander
- 7 in x 10 in (H x W)
- no flowers to date
Native Grass Observations — 3 months age on Sep 12, 2024
Side Oats Grama
- 10 in x 14 in (H x W)
- Purple gray inflorescence, 31 avg. number
Northern Dropseed
- 13 in x 16.5 in (H x W)
- Purple inflorescence, 24 avg. number
Little Bluestem
- 13 in x 12.5 in (H x W)
- Whitish blue inflorescence, 9 avg. number
Final Image
“Alain Meilland (born 1940) is the son of Francis and Louisette Meilland. Alain published a book about his family in 1969, La Vie en Roses. It was re-released in English in 1984 as Meilland: A Life in Roses. World-renowned rosarian and breeder of the Drift rose series. In 2012, Alain was awarded the Great Rosarian of the World (GROW) award, which is presented each year in New York City.” For more see The Meilland Family — Wikipedia
