Replacing your lawn can be beneficial to you, your health, and the environment. Consider this year changing an area of lawn to some alternative landscape options such as groundcover, herb lawn, or wildflower meadow bulb garden.
The first question is, how much lawn do we need? What areas do you need for playing games, picnics, traffic routes, play sets, and sitting areas to enjoy our gardens? Our mown areas are usually greater than we ever use and are often in areas that are hard to maintain such as under trees, slopes, and on septic tile beds.
There are several options available as alternatives to mown grass:
- Groundcovers/herb lawn
- Wildflower meadows
- Woodland garden with bulbs under shady trees or mulch carpet
Groundcovers are an excellent option as plants that spread by runners will fill an area faster than single or clump-forming plants. It is advised to choose ground cover on leaf texture and color. Evergreen groundcovers look green all year round and offer protection from soil erosion. Groundcovers are excellent for dry shady sites, shaded slopes, sunny areas, and areas difficult to mow. As groundcovers have a dense growth habit, it restricts weed growth. Soil preparation is essential for optimum ground cover establishment and growth. Remove sod, till deeply, and add organic amendments. Place plants 6-10” apart.
Dry Full Sun – Bearberry (N), Viola(N), Sedum, Thyme, Wild Strawberry (N) Prairie Smoke (N)
Moist Shade – Bloodroot (N), Bunchberry (N), Ginger (N), Wintergreen (N), Mayapple
A wildflower meadow will attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Be aware that the species and varieties of plants will enhance the biodiversity of the meadow, so native varieties are encouraged. It is advised to start small when planning a meadow. Choose an area where you can observe and enjoy the wildlife activity. Grasses form the structure of a meadow planting. Meadows are suitable for sloped areas also, especially dry sun locations.
A woodland area can be created under existing mature trees where grass is difficult to grow. Woodland Bulb Gardens provide an aesthetic in areas where it is difficult to get grass or plants to grow. Spring bulbs are our first signs of Spring, in bloom before the leaves appear and multiply year after year. Also as mowing begins, you can trim them back and return organic matter into the soil, benefitting soil and bulb.
Bulb Options – Crocus, Snowdrop, Hyacinth, Daffodils, Scilla.
Lawns are very dominant and consume resources and are expensive to maintain. The options above offer alternatives to our traditional lawn, and provide localized solutions to problem areas while also enhancing biodiversity on our properties.
Register for 10 free native plants at parklanelandscapes.ca/shoreline-greening-project and join us at our yard 250 Matchedash Street South from 4-7 pm to collect your free plants, learn about rain gardens, and pollinator gardens, and enjoy a fun afternoon of free events.
