Six steps to ditching your lawn
1. PAY ATTENTION “Have a period of observation to make sure there aren’t native species that you might not recognize but are actually present,” says Kristen Miskelly, a Victoria-based biologist who co-operates nativeplant nursery Satinflower Nurseries. Also look at site conditions: Is the area sunny or shady? Is the soil dry or does it collect water?
2. SET GOALS Think about why you want to replace your lawn—whether it’s to support a specific type of bird, add shade or reduce water use—and what you want it to look like. Also think about how much lawn you want to remove. You can start small, Ziter points out, by converting just one patch, for example, or a border.
3. LOSE THE LAWN The most immediate (and labour-intensive) method is to simply dig it out. A slower approach is to lay black plastic on top of your grass and let the sun’s heat kill it. Or use the sheetmulching technique: Cover your lawn with cardboard topped with compost, soil or degraded bark mulch.
4. MAKE A SHOPPING LIST
Now that you’re familiar
with your site conditions and goals, you can choose plants to match. Native plants tend to be best suited to supporting local wildlife, Ziter says. But the key to biodiversity is variety. Aim for plants with flowers of different sizes and shapes that bloom at different times of the year.
5. CREATE A PLANTING
PLAN You can plant in spring, but it’s not the only option, Miskelly says. Autumn planting can be advantageous for some types of seeds and seedlings and may require less water than planting in summer. Also think about maintenance (will you have time to water when it’s hot?) and budget when choosing what to plant. Seeds are cheaper than seedlings, but they take more time to grow and are best sown in fall.
6. BRAG AND ENJOY
“Talk to your neighbours so they understand it’s intentional,” says Ziter. She also emphasizes the importance of observing the biodiversity you’re supporting. “One of the biggest joys of converting our lawns is seeing all the new species and new life,” she says. “Take time to appreciate your success.”