Naturalization

Naturalization involves transforming a cultivated landscape, such as a lawn, into a more natural landscape. Natural landscapes feature native plants arranged to mimic naturally occurring habitats and provide countless benefits to wildlife and pollinators.

The City defines naturalized gardens as the intentional, deliberate and maintained plantings of North American species.

Naturalized gardens must:

• Not include any noxious weeds as designated by the Ontario Weed Control Act.
• Include a 1 meter setback from all property lines.
• Be kept under 0.6 metres in height within a corner sight triangle.
  • A corner sight triangle is a triangle-shaped area on a corner lot where two property lines meet at the corner of two streets. It's created by drawing two 6 metre long lines from the corner along each property line and connecting them with a third straight line.
• It is the owner or occupant that shall maintain the naturalized garden in a manner that ensures driver and pedestrian sight lines at intersections, driveways, sidewalks and walkways are not restricted in any way.

Noxious Weeds

The full list of Ministry identified noxious weeds are to be removed from your property.

All Noxious Weeds must be removed from your property appropriately. Although some may look beautiful, they negatively impact our ecosystem by outcompeting native plants. Some common noxious weeds include but are not limited to:

Set Backs

Naturalized gardens must have a 1 metre setback (plants 15 centimetres tall or lower, mowed, woodchips, gravel, etc.) from all property lines. It is the property owners responsibility to know where their property lines are located

In order for naturalized gardens to be safe, there cannot be any interference or obstruction of drivers' or pedestrians' sight lines at intersections, driveways, sidewalks and walkways. If you are the owner or occupant of a corner lot, naturalized gardens must be kept 0.6 metres in height within a corner sight triangle.

A corner sight triangle is a triangle-shaped area on a corner lot where two property lines meet at the corner of two streets. It's created by drawing two 6 metre long lines from the corner along each property line and connecting them with a third straight line.

How To Get Started

Planting a mix of native plants improves biodiversity. Native plants need the least amount of care when you put them in the right growing conditions. Consider your yard conditions to help determine which species may be best for you. Things to consider include amount of sun in the selected location, type of soil, and goals for the selected area. Native plants do not need to be fertilized they are meant to be planted and enjoyed. Consider the steps to a successful naturalized space and example of some species below:

1. Select an area for you naturalized garden that is at least 1 metre from property lines and remove the grass.
2. Plant a mix of native plants in the area. View a list of native North American species here.
3. For the first few weeks, keep the top 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) of soil moist.
4. Water when needed until plants are established. This could take a few seasons.
5. Perform regular pest control through weeding to ensure the naturalized garden is maintained and kept free of noxious weeds.  
6. You can add 5 centimetres (2 inches) of organic material (e.g. manure, compost, leaf mold) every two years to create a rich, nutritious soil, and remove the need to fertilize.
7. Be sure to keep naturalized gardens to a maximum height of 0.6 metres within a corner sight triangle.
8. Be sure to maintain a 1 metre setback from all property lines, this could be in the form of plants 15 centimetres in height or less, or landscaping.

North American Native Species – Full Sun (Dry Soil)

North American Native Species- Partial Sun

North American Native Species- Partial Shade

Native Species- Shade 

Sharing your Naturalized Area