Natural Lawn Care

Conventional turf lawns require excessive amounts of water and fertilizer, and sometimes pesticides, to stay green. Additionally, turf lawns do not intercept or absorb as much water as other plants. Consider choosing native lawn alternatives and, if turf lawn is necessary, choose natural lawn care methods.

Lawn Alternatives

What Are They?

Consider choosing native grasses and ground coverings as alternatives to conventional turf lawns on some or all of your property. 'Ground cover' refers to low lying plants that can be vines, low-lying shrubs that grow and spread to form a 'blanket' over the soil. Many ground coverings have flowers, some are evergreen and many are hardy enough to walk on like grass.

How Do They Work?

The use of lawn alternatives reduces the watering consumption for lawn care, and the plants intercept and absorb more rain than turf grass. Native ground coverings also protect the soil and contribute to biodiversity and healthier gardens.

What are the Benefits?

• Ground covers require less maintenance than turf, reducing garden water consumption and the need for fertilizers or pesticides
• Ground covers are better than turf grass for managing stormwater as their leaves intercept more rain, and the plants absorb and hold more moisture.
• Ground cover is ideal for slopes because it prevents erosion and eliminates lawn cutting in areas with limited accessibility.

Costs

Initial costs can be quite inexpensive if planting is done by the homeowner, and long term lawn care costs will be eliminated. Like all garden projects, costs can vary greatly depending on species, age, source and installation method.

Resources

Visit Evergreen's Native Plant Database at http://www.evergreen.ca/nativeplants/search/ to find various kinds of ground cover and where they are best suited.

For information on alternative ground covers, see the City of Toronto guide "Lawn Alternatives and Organic Care of Groundcovers" http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/pdf/gardening_lawnalternatives.pdf

Naturalized Lawn Care

What is it?
If you still want a lawn, using more natural lawn care methods that don't require great amounts of water, fertilizers and pesticides is less harmful to our watershed.

Important Facts on Turf Grass Lawns:

• The City of Toronto banned the use of all pesticides in 2004. This applies to all residents and commercial businesses, pesticides can only be used in very limited situations.
• Cosmetic pesticides and fertilizers have often been applied in quantities and concentrations that outweigh the need for maintaining urban lawns and gardens, even by lawn care professionals.
• Summer lawn watering is the greatest demand for water in Toronto accounting for 1/3 of all water use during summer months. This increases municipal expenses as water treatment plants and sewage facilities are sized to reflect this loading and 56% of the energy consumed by the city is for water treatment and delivery.

Lawn Care Tips

• Aerate your lawn to help soil breathe and promote stronger root systems.
• Leave mulched grass clippings on your lawn to naturally fertilize and prevent evaporation to reduce water demand.
• Raise and keep your lawn mower at a height of 7.5 cm (3 inches).
• Water only once a week with 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water. If it has rained for more than an hour in the last week, there is no need to water.

Resources

• The City of Toronto website has a number of factsheets, brochures and a lawn care calendar about natural lawn and garden care http://www.toronto.ca/health/pesticides/index.htm

 

Resources

Next