To be trampled, squashed and even urinated on is the fate of the humble grass lawn. The over 50 acres of lawn on campus is often passed over, both figuratively and literally. Yet, Northwestern spends thousands of dollars keeping the grass picture perfect.
From mowing to seeding, the 22 member landscaping crew spends 10% to 20% of its time on grass maintenance, estimated Foreman of Ground Services and Morton Grove resident Stephen Camburn, 62.
Watering especially is “so time consuming” that the crew struggles to water the areas they already planted, Camburn said. A limited amount of turf has automated sprinkler systems controlled by rain sensors.
“Sometimes the sensors fail and we have to double check them,” said Assistant Foreman and Chicago resident Ken Roberts, 46.
The bulk of the groundskeepers’ work occurs in spring, when they aerate the soil by punching holes into it with a machine. This allows air and water to better circulate to the base of the plants. Then, they spread seeds that fall into the holes. That is why seedling grass appears in neat rows.
“The way that grass grows, it spreads out,” Camburn said. “If you give it a couple months, it actually will take over six, eight, 10 inches of space.”
By summer, despite constant care, the grass can develop bald patches due to excess shade, lack of water or stray de-icing salt. Roberts explained the university’s underground steam tunnels can kill grass because the ground temperatures get too hot.
“Some of the highest profile areas were starting to go dormant right before commencement, which was unsightly,” Camburn said. “But we can’t do anything about it.”
To prevent weeds from sprouting in the bald patches, the groundskeepers mix natural weed killer with the spring fertilizer, said Roberts. In fall, they use another round of weed and feed.
“It’s not going to do it all,” Roberts said. “We don’t have the manpower or time to get rid of all of them.”
Students also trample the grass near sidewalk edges. When it rains, the bare ditches turn into mud, which attracts black and orange mud wasps. Though the grass can be fragile, both Roberts and Camburn said they want students to enjoy the turf without worrying about hurting it.
“I hope they hang out outdoors, maybe throw a ball around,” Camburn said.
The landscapers’ hard work does not go unnoticed. Sitting on a rock in Deering Meadow and basking in the afternoon sun, library assistant Christina Sallis of Rogers Park, 35, said she was thinking about the beauty of the greenery around her. She raised her eyebrows and broke into a wide grin as she spoke about the grass.
“When I leave work, it’s nice to be in beautiful surroundings that people have put thought and intention into,” Sallis said. “It really is a kind of art.”
