Are the days of beautiful, well-cut green grass over? Should nature be allowed to regain its rights on the grounds of the houses, to promote biodiversity?
Posted at 9:00 a.m.
This is the opinion of a growing number of citizens concerned about the environment, who however come up against the municipal regulations in force in several places, requiring that the grass be cut to less than 15 or 20 centimeters, generally.
This is what happened to Lucie Giroux and John Brewster, citizens of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, who had to cut their native grass bed, or face a fine.
In May, we had decided to let the grass grow to help the pollinating insects.
Lucie Giroux, resident of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
Plants, such as clover, trefoil and yarrow, are therefore mounted in flower. The couple intended to wait until the end of June before cutting them, so that the flowers could dry and the plants would reseed themselves.
But they received a notice from a city inspector asking them to mow the grass to less than 20 centimeters, as required by city regulations.
“We asked if it was possible to wait a few weeks, but it was refused”, continues Mme Giroux.
Outdated regulations
The retiree believes that such municipal regulations are outdated.
She also regrets that many owners use chemicals to treat their lawns and that they water their land with hidden sprinkler systems.
It’s not normal to have a perfect, green lawn with no other plants through it.
Lucie Giroux, resident of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville
At the City of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, the director of communications, Suzanne Le Blanc, assures that there is a tolerance for “herbal arrangements, groves or flowerbeds with tall grass, which demonstrate regular maintenance by the owners “.
“And citizens can of course sow native perennial species on their land which contributes to the health of biodiversity,” she says, in an emailed response.
She specifies that the by-law on nuisances, where we find the rule of 20 centimeters, aims to ensure regular maintenance of the grounds, to avoid lawns left abandoned.
“According to our inspector, only one citizen told him about his native plants. The inspector then advised him to clean around and preserve them,” adds Ms.me The White.
Reflection in progress
Many Quebec cities and Montreal boroughs limit the height of grass on their territory, to prevent vacant lots from being invaded by brush.
But in Montreal, a reflection is underway on this subject, reveals Marie-Andrée Mauger, responsible for the environment on the executive committee and mayoress of Verdun.
We see the population’s adherence to new practices, to have land that is more nature-oriented, less manicured, and that is very encouraging.
Marie-Andrée Mauger, responsible for the environment on the executive committee and mayoress of Verdun
She points out that Verdun has several naturalized areas where vegetation is allowed to grow.
But it would be difficult for city officials to simply withdraw the grass height bylaw, she adds.
“An inspector must be able to intervene in places where there is no maintenance, without aiming at biodiversity. It must be determined whether it is ornamental or horticultural, or untended grasses. »
“We are very much into the monoculture of grass, it’s clean, it looks well maintained, and we want it to be green even in times of drought,” she says.
But it would be much better to have more diversified hardy species, which will better resist droughts and periods of rain.
Marie-Andrée Mauger, responsible for the environment on the executive committee and mayoress of Verdun
According to the mayor, the term “weed” is changing its meaning.