# Artificial Turf Installation in London, Ontario > Artificial turf in London, Ontario: shaded Forest City lawns, student rentals near Western and Fanshawe, dog runs and play areas, prices and a free request. Canonical: https://artificialturfcanada.ca/areas/london Last updated: 2026-10-24 The Forest City's big trees shade out grass, student rentals need yards that look after themselves, and the Thames valley has its own rules. ## At a glance - **Shade lawns**: London's mature tree canopy thins grass every summer. Turf doesn't need sun. - **Student rentals**: Low-maintenance yards near Western University and Fanshawe College. - **Thames valley lots**: River and creek properties can need conservation authority approval for grade changes. - **Local suppliers**: Turf suppliers and installers operate in and around London. ## Communities covered Old North, Byron, Masonville, Westmount, Lambeth, Hyde Park, Old East Village, Wortley Village, Komoka and Kilworth, St. Thomas ## Local rules to check Thames River valley and creek properties: Upper Thames River Conservation Authority regulated areas. City tree protection rules for distinctive trees and tree protection areas. Rental licensing for many rental units. free utility locates (Ontario Dig Authority) before any digging. ## Turf in London London calls itself the Forest City, and it shows in its yards. Old North, Wortley Village and Byron have big mature trees, and under them grass thins out every summer no matter how much seed goes down. That's the most common reason for **artificial turf in London**: a shaded lawn that never looks good. The other big group is rental property near Western University and Fanshawe College, where landlords want a yard that looks kept with nobody mowing it. ## Turf under trees Turf doesn't need sun, which makes it a good fix for shade. It also comes with a few things to plan for: - **Roots.** A turf base takes out several inches of soil, right where a tree's feeder roots are. Installers can reduce the excavation depth near trunks or keep the turf back from the root zone. London has tree protection rules for some trees and areas; check before digging near a big one. - **Leaves and seeds.** Fall leaves and spring seeds land on turf and need a blower. Left in place, they rot into the infill. - **Sap and drip.** Some trees drip sap; it rinses off turf more easily than off a car. ## Student rentals Near campus, landlords often turf small front and back yards so the property looks kept between tenants. A tough, mid-height turf and a yearly [clean and power brush](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/services/turf-cleaning-repair) keep it presentable. Check the city's front-yard landscaping rules and your rental licence conditions first. ## The Thames valley The Thames and its branches run through the middle of the city, along with creeks like Medway and Stoney Creek. Properties in the valley and near watercourses can fall under the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's regulations, which cover changes to grade. A typical backyard install rarely triggers them, but valley lots should check first. ## Ground London's soils range from sandy, quick-draining ground in parts of the west and south to clay till in others. The installer checks what's under your yard and sizes the base to match. ## Popular jobs - Shaded lawns in older neighbourhoods. - Student rental yards. - [Pet turf](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/services/pet-turf) dog runs. - Backyard play areas and [putting greens](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/services/putting-greens) in Byron, Hyde Park and Lambeth. - Indoor training and sports facilities. ## Around London - **Old North and Wortley Village:** century homes under big trees, the classic shade-lawn problem. - **Byron:** hilly west-end neighbourhoods near the Thames, with valley lots. - **Masonville and Hyde Park:** newer north-end subdivisions with compact yards. - **Lambeth:** larger lots in the south, with room for putting greens and play areas. - **Westmount and White Oaks:** 1970s and 80s suburbs with established yards. - **Old East Village and near campus:** older homes and student rentals. London is also home to a large share of southwestern Ontario's sports and training facilities, and indoor turf for gyms, academies and clubs is a steady request alongside backyards. ## Getting a quote Measure the area, note any big trees, say whether it's a rental, and mention if you're near the river or a creek. One installer who works London gets back to you. Published prices are in the [cost guide](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/guides/artificial-turf-cost-ontario). ## London, Ontario facts that change a turf job Checked October 29, 2026 · Artificial Turf Canada ### Climate - Snowfall: 194.3 cm a year - Rain and snow: 1,011.5 mm a year - July average high: 26.4 °C - Days above 30 °C: 9.9 - Days at or below 0 °C: 142.3 About 9.9 days a year top 30 °C, when turf in full sun gets much hotter than grass. With 194.3 cm of snow a year, plan where cleared snow goes: a plastic shovel or blower, not a steel blade. Source: [Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010, London International Airport](https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&climate_id=6144475&dispBack=0) ### Lawn watering rules - Water By-law W-8 lets the City limit or ban outdoor water use with notice, and the City says watering may be limited to certain dates in the warmer months. ([City of London: Water By-law W-8](https://london.ca/by-laws/water-law-w-8)) ## Questions people ask ### Does artificial grass work in shade? Yes. It doesn't need sun. Plan for leaf and seed clean-up and keep excavation away from major tree roots. ### How much does artificial turf cost in London, Ontario? Ontario installers publish $10–$20 per sq ft for an installed backyard, before HST. ### Can I turf a property in the Thames valley? Usually, but changes to grade on regulated land near the river or creeks can need an Upper Thames River Conservation Authority permit. Check first. ## Related - [Artificial Turf Cleaning and Repair](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/services/turf-cleaning-repair) - [Artificial Turf Installation in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/areas/waterloo-region-guelph) - [Artificial Turf Installation in Windsor-Essex](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/areas/windsor) - [Pet Turf and Dog Runs](https://artificialturfcanada.ca/services/pet-turf)