Worthington Manor Warm Season Grass Planting

Submitted by Heather Montgomery,
Watershed Management Section
_________________________________________

Visitors to Worthington Manor Golf Course will be seeing some changes to the golf course’s landscape soon! In addition to the large wetland enhancement project being undertaken by Frederick County Watershed Management Section (WMS) and partners, WMS staff also recently managed a 5.5 acre installation of warm season grasses and wildflowers on the golf course property. The seed mix—containing little bluestem, deertongue, Virginia wildrye, purple coneflower, black-eyed susan, ox-eyed daisy, and partridge pea—is used extensively by the NRCS to provide a short grass stand for many grassland nesting birds. Most grassland birds have experienced one of the most drastic declines of all bird groups. The biggest limiting factor for grassland birds in Maryland are fields in the early stages of succession. This type of habitat is one of the most endangered habitats in the state.

In the pictures below, you will see some of the steps taken to prepare and plant the warm season grass meadows. Funding for the meadow establishment came from an EPA 319 grant, and partners involved include: Worthington Manor Golf Course, Frederick County Watershed Management Section, Maryland DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service, and Frederick County Weed Control.

Frederick County Weed Control using herbicide to prepare site

Maryland DNR staff filling a no-till drill with warm season grass and wildflower seed

Using the no-till drill to plant the grass and wildflower seed