Prince Edward County is considering altering a by-law to allow voluntary lawn and garden naturalization on private property.
Albert Paschkowiak, the County’s Environmental Services and Sustainability Supervisor says naturalization involves turning a cultivated landscape, such as a lawn, into a more natural landscape.
“So to include native species of fescues or grasses or perhaps even wildflowers and such. It could also include alternatives such as clover or other fescues.”
He says naturalization creates habitats for pollinators and requires less watering and fertilization.
“It’s a more sustainable approach to maintain your lawn. Traditional turf grasses can need, can require more water, more fertilization and also pesticides to maintain a clean look if you will.”
The County is currently seeking public input on the draft by-law.
Public consultation will also help identify parts of the existing by-law that are overly restrictive and gauge public support for potential improvements to the by-law, such as allowing naturalized lawns and lawn alternatives.
Click here to view the draft by-law.
Paschkowiak says there would still be rules for lawns.
“Draft, as it stands, still requires turf grasses to be maintained at a specific height. The exemption really just allows folks to convert to lawn alternatives. There are still limitations in the by-law that prevent the growth of noxious weeds so the idea of having an unkempt lawn that has weeds that could impact other people shouldn’t really be a thing with this by-law.”
He says several other communities are considering or have implemented a similar by-law, Toronto being the most notable.
An online survey is available on Prince Edward County’s Have Your Say website until March 31.
Paper copies are available at the County’s customer service desk at the Edward Building (Suite 103 – 280 Main Street, Picton) during office hours, and at County libraries during operating hours.
Staff plan to present the draft by-law to Prince Edward County’s Committee of the Whole in mid-April.
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