By: Dr. Doug Richmond, Purdue University

I last touched on this subject back in April of 2023 as we were just getting started in our project converting 6.5 acres of the Kampen-Cosler course at Purdue to native prairie. Since then, we’ve learned a few things about how golf course “no-play zones” can be converted into native plantings that support biodiversity while fitting within the operational realities of course management. Our goal was to identify which restoration decisions actually drive early ecological and aesthetic outcomes during the first years following renovation.

Under the watchful but curious eyes of Jim Scott and Kyle Post, we conducted field studies across multiple sites on the Kampen-Cosler course, comparing renovated and non-renovated areas and testing different seeding methods (broadcast vs. drill) and seeding seasons (fall vs. spring). We monitored plant community development, floral bloom production, and pollinator communities over two growing seasons to better understand how these decisions influence early establishment and conservation utility.

One of the clearest findings from our work is that prairie renovation itself was the primary driver of early ecological gains. When existing vegetation was removed and replaced with a native prairie seed mix, renovated areas consistently supported greater native plant abundance, richness, and diversity, along with substantially higher floral bloom production than non-renovated turf. In our trials, effective site preparation was also critical for managing persistent weeds we encountered, particularly Canada thistle, marestail, and smooth brome, which could otherwise dominate early establishment and slow development of the native plant community. While these species were notable challenges at our locations, the specific weed pressures superintendents face will likely be variable and site-specific.

The increases in floral resources we observed were accompanied by rapid biological responses, with renovated areas supporting higher bee and butterfly richness and greater bee diversity within just two years.

In contrast, the specific details of seeding, whether broadcast or drill, or fall versus spring, generally had weaker and more transient effects during the early years of establishment. While certain treatment differences appeared during individual sampling periods, they were not consistently expressed across seasons or years. This suggests that once renovation successfully shifts the competitive balance away from existing vegetation, plant community development tends to follow similar early trajectories regardless of the exact seeding approach used.

We also examined outcomes under both longer and shorter site preparation timelines, but the overarching pattern remained the same; renovation status dominated early plant community responses, while differences among seeding approaches were comparatively modest and inconsistent. These results highlight that, in these situations, the act of renovation itself, disrupting established vegetation and creating establishment windows, may be far more influential than the finer details of how or when seed is applied.

From a management standpoint, this work reinforces a practical message for superintendents: if the goal is to achieve visible and ecological benefits quickly, the greatest return comes from prioritizing thorough renovation and site preparation with patient and sustained efforts to eliminate persistent weedy species paying big dividends. Seeding method and timing still matter, mainly from a logistical standpoint, but our results suggest they can be selected with some flexibility without substantially altering early outcomes.

Overall, our findings demonstrate that renovating no-play zones to native prairie plant communities can yield meaningful increases in native plant diversity, floral resources, and pollinator richness within a relatively short time frame. By focusing first on effective renovation and then tailoring seeding decisions to fit available equipment and scheduling constraints, golf course superintendents can integrate conservation plantings into out-of-play areas, but maintaining realistic expectations for early establishment and performance are key.

For superintendents, the takeaway is simple: invest in renovation and let seeding logistics be flexible. When it comes to prairie plantings in no-play zones, getting the renovation right matters far more than getting the seeding perfect.