(Photo: Bushel and Berry). And eco-minded homeowners, realizing what a waste it is to water grass when you could devote your time to nurturing a garden that attracts beneficial insects and wildlife, have advanced the idea of getting rid of grass altogether. Some savvy green thumbs will build tidy rows of raised beds in lieu of a lawn. Health Canada’s ban and management of cosmetic herbicides and pesticides. Flowering shrubs and regional wildflowers are good options for inviting honeybees. It grows quickly and … Clover grows quickly, suppresses weeds, enriches the earth and aerates the soil with a deep root system. Be sure to consult with a landscaping professional before undertaking any major work on your property, especially if you are looking to change the slope or grade in any way. Summer brings hot sunny days—and the odd deluge. A few options to consider: Creeping thyme. We recommend these plants for Guelph’s climate and soil conditions. You don’t want to encounter them yourself. It might be hard to imagine what you would have instead of a lawn but there are all sorts of creative alternatives. White flowering clover makes a good lawn alternative and attracts plenty of pollinators. “Curly parsley or Greek basil are super compact and can be added to flower pots for visual interest and summer-long harvesting,” she adds. It can feed you and your family, and maybe generate some extra income if you decide to sell your produce. And even if you’re just changing up a small area, or digging in a big tree, it’s a good idea to consult your municipality’s “call before you dig” program to flag any underground pipes (like gas) or cables. alternativelawn . Clover. Companies that will do the lawn spraying for you are sprouting up across the country, but do-it-yourselfers can also buy the paint concentrate, mix it with water and spray it themselves. It also self-fertilizes by absorbing nitrogen from the air and depositing it into the ground, and it prevents undesirable weeds like dandelions and crabgrass from growing, so you don’t need to use pesticides. But giving up some or all of your grass to plant native species will help to nourish and shelter smaller creatures, like birds, toads, snakes, beneficial insects, etc. Each year, we inevitably see news reports showing the destruction one heavy rainfall can bring. 11-year-old dies after falling through ice in Milton, Ont. Videos for Lawn Alternatives. Why slave away at real grass when the fake stuff looks almost as good? The stones can also get hot under the mid-day sun and are likely not a practical option for families with small kids. Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, Published Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:30AM EDT, Stream CTV News Channel for breaking news updates, in exchange for cashing in the rebate money, Seals on ice: This pic won top prize in new contest, Spring breakers defy calls for social distancing, Group organizes social distancing-friendly Zumba class, Watch the full year-end interview with PM Justin Trudeau, Former NDP leader Mulcair praises PM's pandemic response, Canada tops 500K cases in final weekend of holiday shopping. But there are landscaping companies happy to help and the costs of switching over to a dry garden quickly pays for itself from the money saved by never needing to water or mow again. But it’s okay to have a few dandelions or patches of clover. If you’re not quite ready to commit to a full-fledged urban farm, you can sneak plants into an established perennial garden. There are many advantages for using these materials that include color and texture variety, availability, price range from inexpensive to high-end and durability. One helpful tip is to look for plants that are native to your region. A well-designed rock garden will still absorb rain and provide colour, while requiring much less weeding and maintenance than a lawn. Tuck in a tomato with an obelisk overtop, and it will blend right in as an ornamental specimen. If you’re rethinking the wisdom of growing lawn grass, there are several low-maintenance groundcover alternatives that will actually allow you to enjoy your summer weekends. LawnLift, the biggest lawn paint distributor in Canada says its product dries quickly, is safe for pets, and will not rub off on shoes, clothes or paws. Doug Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard believes “private properties are an opportunity for long-term conservation if we design them to meet the needs of the life around us.” Now that doesn’t mean you have to roll out the welcome mat for urban raccoons. Tara Nolan is the author of Gardening Your Front Yard and a co-owner of SavvyGardening.com. There is one major problem with using plants other than grasses. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull). Either way, the result is a sad landscape that many homeowners can’t stand to look at. SKU. Above: Clovers and a mix of wildflowers turn turf into a meadow. It’s no surprise that so many municipalities has declared war on lawns. The downsides of these grass alternatives is the seeds are often hard to find in stores, but can be ordered online. Low-growing thyme forms a beautiful and deliciously scented mat to cover large areas. Special programs, like the one offered by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, has a checklist for gardeners wanting to certify their garden as a wildlife-friendly habitat. As I went down the alternative rabbit hole, I learned that once the new lawn has been established, a wide variety of plants, such as mosses, sedges, clovers and other wildflowers can essentially take care of themselves. this wildflower and grass mix is great for the environment and also eco-friendly. There are now even landscaping companies in the state that will pull up homeowners’ lawns and install alternative materials, in exchange for cashing in the rebate money and handling all the paperwork. A tomato with obelisk. An artificial lawn is more expensive to install than natural grass, but the annual savings from never having to water and fertilize often takes care of the upfront costs. Lilyturf. As we continue to see changes to our climate, water is becoming a more precious resource every year. More and more gardeners are filling their front yards with a riot of blooms, a few vegetable plants, or even a rain garden (more on that in a moment). While there will always be those who enjoy lovingly tending to their lawns, many Canadians are likely wondering why they bother devoting their weekends to the whims of their yards. We hope they are helpful! Pollinator favourites include liatris, black-eyed Susans, cosmos and echinacea. Full sun; Part shade; Less work, less water. There are eco-friendlier alternatives of grass seed blends you can sow if you’d still like to feel that soft, cool carpet under your feet on a hot summer day. Artificial grass has come a long way since the AstroTurf days of the 1960s. A tidy lawn with no weeds in sight is fast becoming antiquated. Sweet woodruff is an edible herb, said to taste something like vanilla, and it gives … If you’re thinking about ditching your lawn, here are a few options to consider, from most drastic to least. Prong recommends consulting a professional to assess the property and making sure a plan is made where the water is being conveyed the way it needs to. Health Canada’s ban and management of cosmetic herbicides and pesticides helped with this shift a few years ago. Planting flowers, of course, attracts a variety of pollinators, from bees to birds to butterflies. Clover was once considered a weed in the grass, but it’s surprisingly beneficial as a lawn plant. In order to help you make your decision and also present other alternative options for a traditional lawn, check out these two videos below. Dry gardens made of any combination of stone chips, pea gravel, ornamental grasses or succulents can make for a unique and attractive alternative to grass or tarmac. They have bylaws in place restricting plant height, usually to avoid seed spread, and deter vermin. Choosing the right mix of grasses and groundcover helps prevent weeds and pests. Fortunately, there are a number of lawn alternative options that require no chemical treatments and have much lower water needs. With a softer feel and a more realistic look, artificial lawns can easily be mistaken for the real thing, which may be why they’re popping up in residential yards, commercial green spaces and even municipal areas such as boulevards. If there are certain challenges you face on the property—salt, deer, drought, a black walnut tree—there are plants that can survive being planted in those areas. This lawn alternative is more than just decorative. $3.35. With drought-like conditions across Western Canada, keeping your lawn lush and green can be a real pain in the grass. The downside of “natural gardens” is that many cities simply don’t allow them. 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