I have been dumping water on my front lawn almost daily recently. While April showers purportedly bring May flowers, we’ve had more dry than wet days, at least through the first three quarters of the month. Mixing in Lake Michigan’s finest is a necessity if my investment in seed and fertilizer is to pay off and establish the green suburban nirvana we have become conditioned to expect.
Working against my quest for green are two rather large trees that weren’t anywhere near that big when planted almost three decades ago. Acknowledging the inherent futility, last summer we gave up on grass ever growing directly under their branches. Even though we are now focused just on the periphery, the trees still soak up most of the available moisture. Part of my problem is simple; Northern Illinois is not a great environment for growing turf grass. I’m not ready, though to mulch it all, and the household CEO probably wouldn’t let me if I tried.
Our May 16 Homeowners Confederation Meeting (8AM for coffee and networking, meeting at 8:30AM in meeting rooms B&C of the Naperville Municipal Center) will feature Jim Kleinwachter of Naperville’s own Conservation Foundation. Jim told me there is, in development, a prairie grass alternative that can be cared for to look more like a lawn than unkempt open space. Incorporating the drought tolerance and disease resistance of the grass that was here before we were, with a more palatable appearance, seems like a lot to ask for, but I expect Jim will have more to say about it at our meeting.
May is our last monthly meeting until September and a good chance to have input into what we will be looking at next year. Mark your calendars and join us as we make a difference in Naperville.
