Coffee, cigarettes, pesticides and grass
Some constituents have expressed concerns that the proposed ban on pesticides will undermine the hard work and pride they have put into their property.
As a home gardener and a professional landscape architect (who has nothing against a beautifully manicured lawn) I understand these concerns, however, allow me to explore the opportunities…
If you will recall, back in the 90’s communities were contemplating a ban on smoking in public places and there was a great concern that the legislation would destroy businesses. Some of the loudest concerns were voiced by coffee shops that saw a direct correlation between smoking and coffee.
What is really remarkable is that Tim Horton’s probably became the huge success that they are today not in spite of the ban, but as a result of the smoking ban.
Tim Horton’s evolved from the “truck stop coffee shop” into a clean, inviting, full menu (and outrageously profitable) restaurant that they are today. Hundreds of coffee shops and millions of dollars later I’m sure they are really happy that anti smoking legislation forced then to see beyond the limited perspective they originally had.
The same will probably be true for our lawns.
I have noticed that there are a number of people in Guelph as well as other cities who have forgone turf grass altogether. Some are nice… however not all of them are, and many are designed such that they result in far more work than is necessary. On the other hand, some alternative lawns are downright gorgeous and nearly maintenance free!
I have seen highly formal designs, fully naturalised environments and even uniquely themed alternative lawns leaving me to think that there is something to suit everyone’s taste.
Just as Tim Horton’s realised the huge opportunity moving beyond the perception that “cigarettes go with coffee” there will undoubtedly be designers, maintenance companies and garden centres that will quickly realise the huge opportunity that moving beyond the perception that “nice homes have perfect grass.”
Just like looking back at old pictures of Guelph devoid of street trees, we may look back at old pictures of our communities paved over with a monoculture of grass and say, “what in the world were we thinking?”
August 5th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Unfortunately, you seem to have missed the point you have just made.
Tim Horton’s is a very good example of what happens when you force people out of coffee shops and back into thier cars.
Now you have loads of folks sitting at the drive thru, in cars,smoking and idling. All you have to do now is pass a few more intrusive bylaws to fix the problem you helped to create.
As far as chemicals on lawns, I STRONGLY suggest you check the latest most recent results from Health Canada which indicates in very clear language that the position of council (to ban these products) is misinformed, wrong, out of touch with scientific facts and mostly fear based.
And NO, I don’t need to hire a consultant to prove what is already considered fact.
April 8th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
As I sit here reflecting on the recent loss of another family member to environmentally caused cancer, I think it’s safe to say Health Canada can not and will not provide information in the best interest of Canadians. It is a political animal that is influenced by lobbies and good’ol money.
I encourage the commenter before me, Doug, to continue to spray his perfect lawn and veggie garden so we can rid ourselves of the ignorant as soon as possible.
It is a fact that Guelph has been identified in the medical community as a “Cancer Cluster” well above national averages. It is also home to the Turf Grass Institue and University of Guelph where tests are conducted on “unapproved” chemicals all the time.
Do we really need Health Canada to connect the dots?