Lawn Alternatives Workshop: Essentials

This is a three-session workshop. You sign up for session one and are automatically set for all three sessions. 

The traditional lawn is considered one of the least sustainable types of landscape. Annual upkeep for a healthy lawn requires large amounts of water and fertilizers paired with weekly mowing and string trimming, all of which pollutes the environment. In addition, lawns provide zero wildlife value to local ecosystems. Some lawn can be a great addition to a garden, but we also know that converting unused lawn can reduce annual maintenance costs, conserve water, eliminate the need for chemicals, and benefit our surrounding ecosystems.

In this three-session workshop we will discuss the history of the conventional lawn and its impact on the environment. We’ll walk through the step-by-step process of how to transition this type of lawn to a more sustainable alternative and apply this process hands on to a small area of the Agricultural Center grounds. Finally, we conclude with a 3-hour charrette where participants will identify a turf area from their own property, create a design with a transition plan and a plant palette. (A charrette is a design workshop in which the challenges of specific projects are discussed, and solutions adopted in a limited time frame)

Session one: Essentials, Thurs, Mar 27 at 6pm (2-hour lecture, 1 hour walk)

• The history of the conventional lawn and how it became a staple in the American landscape
• The environmental impact of turfgrass maintenance
• The step-by-step process of converting multiple types of conventional turfgrass
• Lawn alternative plant palettes

Session two: Hands-on – Thurs, Apr 24 at 4pm  (4-hour hands-on work session)

Participants will complete a full lawn to garden conversion in a donated area of the Agricultural Center grounds. As a class, we will prep the area, talking about potential challenges and techniques to set your plants up to thrive. We’ll install the plants, mulch and water in covering information as we work about proper planting, mulching and long-term watering techniques to better ensure the success of your plants.

Session three: Design – Thurs, May 29 at 6pm (3 hours)

Participants will come to the session with an area from their own property that they are considering for a lawn conversion. In this session each participant will workshop a design, transition plan and plant palette to present to the rest of the group for feedback. Participants will leave with a plan and the hands on experience to complete their own lawn conversion.

All materials for all three sessions are provided.