How to Plan a Native Plant Landscaping Project in PEI

Planning a native plant landscaping project in PEI comes down to how much to change at once, how to prepare the ground and which mix of native species to plant, sourced as locally as possible. Mapping what goes in the ground makes it easier to see later what survived and what needs replacing.

How Much of the Property Should Change at Once?

A project that grows in stages is easier to look after than one that replaces everything in a season. The Canadian Wildlife Federation suggests starting by replacing about 10 percent of a lawn with a shrub or flower bed and adding more as gradually as feels comfortable. On a 400-square-metre lawn, that first stage would be a bed of about 40 square metres.

The federation also recommends drawing a basic map of the yard to plan where each area will go, and weighing the time available for upkeep, the budget and physical comfort with the work before deciding how big to start.

How Can Lawn Be Removed Without Herbicide?

Lawn can be smothered, flipped or lifted out without any chemical treatment. The LawnShare toolkit published with the David Suzuki Foundation describes covering grass with overlapping layers of damp cardboard or newspaper, topped with soil, compost or mulch, either the fall before planting or a couple of weeks ahead.

The other two methods it describes are cutting out small squares of turf and turning them soil side up, or removing the sod with rented equipment or a hired company. Whichever method is used, the toolkit recommends a mix of woody and soft-stemmed native plants suited to the sun and soil.

How Many Kinds of Plants Should the Project Include?

The PEI Invasive Species Council recommends a varied stand of native plants over a monoculture, a large block of a single species. It also cautions against overplanting a site and recommends buying locally sourced plants whenever possible.

The council's horticulture guidance suggests asking nursery staff where a plant was sourced. Its checklist also recommends mapping plantings so survival can be checked in the following seasons.

Can a Provincial Program Pay for Home Landscaping?

For most home landscaping projects in PEI, no provincial program covers the cost. The province's 2 Billion Trees program states that landscape and backyard tree planting is not eligible, although a smaller parcel near a stream or river with room for at least 50 trees, spaced 2 metres apart, may qualify.

The other provincial planting programs are aimed at different land. The Forest Enhancement Program requires at least 1 hectare of forest land, and the Alternative Land Use Services program works with agricultural producers and the landowners who lease farmland to them.

Can Red Earth Help Plan or Plant the Project?

Red Earth Restoration works with PEI landowners and homeowners on native landscaping, from site assessments and planting plans to native planting, and also supplies plants on their own. A project enquiry with the location, the size of the area and the level of help you want lets Brandon and Becky suggest a first step.

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