January 2011

January 2011
photo: Joan Baril

Sunflowers, Russian Giant

Sunflowers, Russian Giant
Tallest about 12 foot high.

Friday 7 March 2008

IMAGINE: LIFE WITHOUT A LAWN

Tired of the rituals of fertilizing, weeding, watering, mowing and maintaining? In an article in this month’s issue of All Season’s Garden Guide, Doreen G. Howard suggests alternatives using meadow plants, succulents or moss.

She lists the benefits of eliminating or reducing turf – saving time – saving money – saving water – more flowers – fragrance – more birds – beneficial bugs – few or no chemicals and (maybe) fresh produce. There are several lawn-less front yards around Thunder Bay. Most use a mix of shrubs, perennials, garden rocks and various ground covers or cedar chips. A few go for the wild flower effect, not always easy to do.

Are there any advantages to lawns? Yes. Nothing is tougher than turf for children’s play areas or sports fields. Mown turf beside pathways eliminates wet and slippery plants from flopping on the path after a hard rain. And green lawn sets off garden beds in an artistic way.
But just think – never pull another dandelion again! It is a thought

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hi Joan!
I found you from Links at the Garden forum.
I too garden in Thunder Bay.
Your notes on lawn alternatives has me thinking ...hubby dug up the thing for some underground wires etc and this spring we need to figure out what to do with it.
Eileen in TBay