row of modern apartment buildings with a green lawn

Most tenants, property managers, and property developers consider healthy, attractive lawns an important feature of a building, but many don’t realize the toll it can take on their pocketbooks and the surrounding environment. With fall considered the best time of year to plant new grass, we spoke with Wanda Wolf at Landcare to learn some healthy strategies and solutions for maintaining a beautifully landscaped lawn without the use of access water and chemicals.

“You can have great looking grass and gardens in urban apartments without relying on unfriendly practices, such as chemicals,” she says. “In lawn and property maintenance, the solution has traditionally been at odds with environmental practices. When things get bad, many rely on chemicals for a quick fix.”

Instead, Wolf advises a two-prong approach that considers the environment and health and wellness of the residents while still producing great-looking results. This includes starting with the right design from the get-go and addressing issues promptly when they arise.

“Having a design that uses appropriate material choices will help reduce future problems that typically require chemicals and overwatering to solve,” she says. “When you have a building full of people and pets, there is a lot of foot traffic that will make your maintenance needs more complicated, but with the right design, you’ll have more control. Secondly, when there is a problem, it’s important to address it in a timely manner using environmentally friendly practices to repair or change the course of the issue.”

Other lawn care tips and considerations:

Weeds

Ideally in the spring and in fall, Wolf says properties need aeration, which involves top dressing and overseeding.

“This is a technique that literally chokes out weeds,” she says given that the healthier and thicker the grass, the less hospitable the environment for weeds. “Then when the occasional weed pops up, you simply pull it up and the extreme weedy grass problem is avoided. And for weeds in interlock, driveways and hard surfaces, horticultural vinegar is a great way kill them.”

Watering

If green grass is the goal, Wolf says to choose seed varieties that are drought resistant or to add irrigation and use it sparingly. “Most people are unaware that irrigation systems can be programmed to use less water than hand watering,” she points out.

Pests and Insects

Meanwhile, grubs and invasive insects can be managed using nature’s available solutions. “Many plants can deter pests when strategically planted as “sacrificial plants” or when planted as a companion to more vulnerable species,” she says. “For example, Nasturtiums are great at attracting aphids away from flower beds, and Chervil is an annual that slugs hate. Lavender’s smell is a deterrent to biting bugs—and it attracts butterflies. Mint deters ants, cabbage moths and rodents, and Chives will repel aphids and Japanese beetles.”

Grass burning from pet urine

As more buildings become pet-friendly, designing for pet owners is a must. According to Wolf, adding strategically placed rocks or trees can help protect gardens while designated pet areas located in an easily accessible location will help ensure residents don’t allow their pets to soil the lawn.

Garden bed weeds

Annual mulching is the best way to reduce weeds in garden beds, and it also makes pulling weeds a breeze when they do pop up.

“Mulch right after planting annuals in the spring and your garden beds will look amazing,” Wolf advises. “But be sure to choose environmental and pet-friendly types of mulch.”

Preventative maintenance

Lastly, Wolf adds that it’s important to remember that so-called easy lawn care solutions like spraying have lasting negative impacts on the health of the residents, and ultimately, the property itself.

“Chemical solutions generally create more problems and repeat business for weed spraying companies,” she concludes. “A good landscape company will create a maintenance program that is designed around science-based preventative measures that will make your commercial property look its best and work well with its community.”

Wanda Wolf of Landcare’s customer service department has worked in property maintenance for more than 30 years. Visit www.landcare.ca for more healthy ways to maintain your lawn and garden.

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