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If you're looking for grass alternatives for your lawn, many options can be both eco-friendly and visually appealing. Why might you be looking at alternatives to grass? Environmental sustainability: Grass alternatives can be more environmentally sustainable than traditional grass lawns, which often require large amounts of water, fertilizers, and pesticides to maintain. Many grass alternatives, such as groundcovers and wildflowers, require less water and maintenance and can provide critical habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Water conservation: Grass alternatives can help conserve water, particularly in regions with limited water resources. Many grass alternatives are drought-tolerant and can survive without supplemental watering. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: Lawn care practices such as mowing, fertilizing, and watering can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by using grass alternatives that require less maintenance. Reduced maintenance costs: Grass alternatives can be less expensive than traditional grass lawns. They often require less water, fertilizer, and pesticide applications and may require less frequent or no mowing. Aesthetics and diversity: Grass alternatives can provide a diverse and visually appealing landscape with various textures, colours, and shapes. This can enhance the beauty and diversity of the local ecosystem and offer significant benefits to local wildlife. Overall, grass alternatives can offer a range of benefits, including environmental sustainability, water conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced aesthetics and biodiversity. In addition, by using grass alternatives, individuals and communities can help to create more sustainable and resilient landscapes. Here are some ideas on grass alternatives: Groundcovers: Groundcovers such as clover, creeping thyme, and sedum are low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and provide a lush and diverse ground cover. You might even find a lucky four-leafed clover on your lawn! Wildflowers: Wildflower lawns can provide a colourful and low-maintenance alternative to grass. Native wildflowers can also support local ecosystems and provide habitat for pollinators. Moss: Moss lawns can be attractive and low-maintenance for shady areas where grass may struggle to grow. Artificial turf: If you're looking for a low-maintenance option that still provides the look of a traditional lawn, synthetic turf may be a good choice. While it's not as eco-friendly as natural alternatives, it requires no watering, mowing, or fertilizing. Vegetable gardens: Consider converting your lawn into a vegetable garden. You can grow your food while reducing your water usage and carbon footprint. Xeriscaping involves using drought-tolerant plants and landscaping techniques to create a low-water landscape. This can be an excellent option for areas with limited water resources. When considering grass alternatives, choosing an appropriate option for your climate, existing ecosystem and soil type, and your specific needs and preferences is essential. If you have questions about your existing lawn, feel free to contact one of the many companies in the Waterloo region that specialize in sustainability and landscape design.

The history of grass in Canada is closely tied to the country's colonial past and the arrival of European settlers. Before European colonization, grasslands were an essential feature of the Canadian landscape, particularly in the prairie regions of the country. Indigenous peoples used controlled burns to maintain these grasslands and to encourage the growth of essential food sources such as bison and elk. With the arrival of European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries, the grasslands of Canada began to change. Grasses such as timothy and Kentucky bluegrass were introduced as forage for livestock, and the clearing of forests for agriculture and settlement led to the expansion of grasslands. In the late 19th century, the Canadian government actively promoted the settlement of the western prairies. It encouraged the cultivation of wheat and other crops. This led to a significant expansion of grasslands, as forests were cleared and natural grasslands were plowed under for agriculture. Today, grass remains an essential feature of the Canadian landscape, particularly in rural pasture and hay production areas. However, converting natural grasslands for agriculture and other uses has led to losing vital ecosystems and wildlife habitats. As a result, there is growing recognition of the need to protect and restore these grasslands. As a result, efforts are underway to promote sustainable agriculture practices and to conserve remaining grasslands through initiatives such as protected areas and habitat restoration programs. As gardeners, we can participate in restoration efforts by understanding our ecosystems and encouraging sustainable lawn practices. Sustainable lawns are designed and maintained to minimize negative impacts on the environment while still providing the benefits of a healthy and beautiful lawn. Here are some tips for creating and maintaining a sustainable lawn: Choose suitable grass: Select a grass appropriate for your climate and soil type. Native grasses are often a good choice, as they require less water and are better adapted to local conditions. Use organic fertilizers: Avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which can harm the environment and human health. Instead, use organic fertilizers that are made from natural ingredients. Water efficiently: Water your lawn in the early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation. Use a rain gauge to determine how much water your yard needs, and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Consider installing a rain barrel to collect and store rainwater for later use. Mow at the right height: Set your lawnmower to the correct height for your grass type. Mowing too low can stress the grass and make it more susceptible to disease and pests. Compost yard waste: Instead of bagging and disposing of grass clippings and leaves, consider composting them to create a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your lawn and garden. Plant a diverse landscape: Consider adding trees, shrubs, and other plants to your lawn to create a more varied terrain that supports local wildlife and provides additional benefits such as shade and erosion control. By following these tips, you can create a sustainable lawn that is beautiful and helps protect the environment. Also, consider planting a grass-alternative lawn.

Garden pests and diseases can be a significant problem for anyone who loves gardening, as they can damage or even kill plants. In this article, we'll discuss some of the most common garden pests and diseases and provide tips on preventing and treating them. Aphids Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can be green, yellow, or black. They suck the sap out of plant leaves and stems, which can cause stunted growth and leaf curling. To prevent aphids, keep your garden clean and debris-free, and encourage natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings. You can also spray plants with water and dish soap to kill aphids. Slugs and Snails Slugs and snails are common garden pests that can eat large holes in plant leaves and fruit. Avoid overwatering your garden and keep it debris-free to prevent slugs and snails. You can also set up beer traps or use copper tape around plant beds to keep them away. Powdery Mildew Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that causes a white, powdery coating on plant leaves. It can weaken plants and cause them to lose their leaves. To prevent powdery mildew, make sure your garden has good air circulation and avoid overcrowding plants. You can also spray plants with a mixture of milk and water to help prevent powdery mildew. Tomato Blight Tomato blight is a fungal disease that affects tomato plants. It can cause the leaves and stems of the plant to turn brown and wilt and can also affect the fruit. Ensure your plants are adequately spaced and have good air circulation to prevent tomato blight. You can also water them at the base of the plant instead of from above to avoid getting water on the leaves. Japanese Beetles Japanese beetles are a common garden pest that can eat many plants' leaves, flowers, and fruit. To prevent Japanese beetles, handpick them off your plants and drop them in a bucket of soapy water. You can also use a trap to catch them, but be aware that this can attract more beetles to your garden. In conclusion, garden pests and diseases can be a significant problem for any gardener. However, proper prevention and treatment can keep your plants healthy and thriving. Remember to keep your garden clean and debris-free, encourage natural predators, and use organic methods whenever possible. Happy gardening! To learn more gardening tips and tricks, come to one of our events or sign up to become a member.

When our long-awaited passports arrived in the mail, we couldn't wait to get on a plane and explore the world. We chose St Lucia as our first international destination with our new documentation. It is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean and boasts incredible views, activities and plant life for the whole family to survey. I'm a planner by nature and researched all the must-see places before we headed on our journey. Of course, the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens & Mineral Baths were a must! On all our vacations, we enjoy exploring how the local communities live, what they do for fun and how they perceive their natural world. Our expert driver's grandfather was brought to the island as a slave from India. He subsequently married a native woman, and his family still has their home on the island. As we drove through the winding roads on the Atlantic side of the island - and it was winding (note: take some motion sickness pills with you when you go), we were amazed at the sheer size of the plants! It looked like we were in a scene from Jurassic Park - complete with goats tied to trees feasting on a nearby shrub. I told the driver that my favourite fruit was guavas, but there were none at the resort. So I missed the season by a few months. Suddenly, he stopped the car, got out and ran to a nearby tree. He returned with four guavas the size of baseballs! I've never seen fruit that big. He informed us that the trees planted along the road are for the people. Nobody on the island goes hungry, especially during mango season when it drops to the ground like rainfall. St Lucia has 30 varieties of mangoes! I made a mental note to look at the mango varieties in the grocery stores when I got home. After a quick dip in the mud baths from the collapsed volcano (also a must if you're on the island), we headed to the botanical gardens. Feeling small under the canopy of the gigantic fauna and flora, we were reminded of how nature puts everything into perspective. Once the land was used as sugar plantations, now the botanical garden is a refuge where anyone can reconnect and recharge. In the same way, in which the mineral baths hold healing properties, nature has the power to transform if we dare to grow. To learn more about the history of the gardens and the mineral baths, go to the website at https://www.diamondstlucia.com/history. ​

Even the smallest counter space can accommodate this excellent addition to salads or as a snack on the go. Microgreens, also known as "vegetable confetti," are a variety of edible, immature greens. They are harvested with scissors less than one month after germination, and plants are up to 2 inches tall. Unlike sprouts, where you can eat the root, seed and shoot, only the stem, cotyledons (seed leaves) and the first set of true leaves are edible. Like all plants, some varieties are better suited than others to be grown as microgreens. Salad greens, herbs and edible flowers are suitable for beginners. If you're new to planting microgreens, start with one type of seed, like broccoli, chia or sunflower. They are the easiest to grow. Microgreens vary in taste, from spicy to bland. The flavour, generally speaking, is considered strong and concentrated. They are also packed with nutrients like potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium and copper. The nutrient content is concentrated, resulting in higher vitamin, mineral and antioxidant levels compared to the same quantity of mature greens. Microgreens are considered safe to eat when appropriately grown with good ventilation and at least four hours of sun per day (or a grow light). As a rule of thumb, always buy seeds from a reputable company and increase the microgreens in mediums that are free from contamination. Compostable, single-use growing mats are produced specifically for this purpose and are considered very sanitary. Wash microgreens before eating them with cold water. Use a salad spinner to dry them! Like most vegetables, eating them raw will provide the most benefit. However, microgreens can be added to any warm meal like pizza, soups, omelets and curries. They are a nutritious addition to smoothies, salads and wraps. Growing your microgreens is an excellent way to get children involved in planting their food. It's easy to maintain, and children can even harvest their own (with adult supervision or help with scissors). Children who learn how their food is grown are also more prone to keep doing so in adulthood. ​Oregon State U Extension Services offers a 15-day microgreen grow-along course for free! http://extension-website-prod.s3-website-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mg/workshop/microgreens-grow-along/#/ Note: Always be aware of allergic reactions when introducing new food to your diet. Or check with your healthcare provider or nutritionist.