Summer in Sept! Increasing Drought Stress, Consistently Hot, and an Illinois Native Prairie Demo

CDGATurfgrassProgram
6 min readSep 20, 2024

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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).

Image 1. A study investigates a newer selective herbicide in a RPR perennial ryegrass tee. Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL. Settle, Sep 15, 2024

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

Figure 1. September has turned out to be consistently hot with high temperatures 80+ over a 13 day period. Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL
Figure 2. Drought comparison maps of Aug 13 (left) versus Sep 17 (right). Illinois saw significant change in one month from no drought (white color) to moderate drought (light orange). Courtesy U.S. Drought Monitor
Image 3. September 18–25 are forecast with the first chances of precipitation in 2+weeks for the Chicago area. Courtesy WGN Weather Blog

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.

Image 1. A native prairie demonstration in an out-of-play area with good establishment on sand mound no. 5 at Bob Berry Sunshine course, Lemont, Illinois. Settle, Aug 9, 2024
Table 1. Plants (forbs and grasses) selected for a native plant demonstration study on Bob Berry Sunshine Course in Lemont, IL

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
Figure 1. Plant height of large forbes on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Figure 2. Plant width of large forbes on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Figure 3. Flower number of large forbes on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Image 2. Large forbes flowering in a native prairie demonstration in an out-of-play area at Bob Berry Sunshine course, Lemont, Illinois. Singh, Sep 20, 2024

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
Figure 4. Plant height of small-medium forbes on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Figure 5. Plant width of small-medium forbes on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Figure 6. Flower number of small-medium forbes on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Image 3. Small-medium forbes flowering in a native prairie demonstration in an out-of-play area at Bob Berry Sunshine course, Lemont, Illinois. Singh, Sep 20, 2024

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
Figure 7. Plant height of native grasses on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Figure 8. Plant width of native grasses on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Figure 8. Seedhead number of native grasses on Sep 12, 2024, Bob Berry Sunshine Course, Lemont, IL.
Image 4. Native grasses flowering in a native prairie demonstration in an out-of-play area at Bob Berry Sunshine course, Lemont, Illinois. Singh, Sep 20, 2024

Final Image

‘Popcorn’ Drift rose is a superior shrub rose that offers disease resistance as well as fragrant bi-colored blooms. The drift series was bred by the French rose breeder Meilland. Wichita, KS, Settle, Sep 20, 2024

“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

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CDGATurfgrassProgram
CDGATurfgrassProgram

Written by CDGATurfgrassProgram

Written by Derek Settle, PhD & Shehbaz Singh, MS. Mission: Provide science-based turfgrass research and diagnostics to 400+ member golf courses/superintendents.

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