Healthy Yards

Richmond Hill's Healthy Yards Program provides the community with information and materials to help take care of your lawn, trees and garden and help improve the natural environment. The Program also offers residents the opportunity to buy native plant kits, backyard composters and rain barrels at an affordable cost every spring.

Native plant is a term used to describe plants that occur naturally and have existed for many years in a given area. Why grow native plants?

  • They are adapted to local climate and soil conditions and therefore require less water and maintenance.
  • They improve local biodiversity by providing habitat and food for birds, mammals and insects.

Healthy Yards Plant and Garden Sale 

The 2021 Healthy Yards Plant and Garden Sale is now over. To be notified when next year's sale begins, subscribe for email updates at the bottom of the page.

Free wood chips for your garden

As we continue to progress through Ontario's Roadmap to Reopen, the wood chips pile located at Richmond Green will not be available until further notice. Subscribe for updates below to receive updates on wood chip availability.

Using wood chips in your garden means less weeding, less watering, faster plant growth, protection from overheated soils during hot summers, added nutrients to your soil and less bruised fruit under fruit trees!

Free wood chips will be located at Richmond Green, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East. The pile is located at the west end of the parking lot in front of Tom Graham Arena. Please help yourself. Tools and containers are not provided, so please bring your own.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, there is a limit of 5 people at the pile at a time. Please also remember to practice physical distancing unless you live together. 

Backyard Tree Planting Program

The Backyard Tree Planting Program provides trees to residents at a reduced price.

LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program

Trees range from 5' to 8' and costs range from $150 to $220. The cost of the tree includes a site consultation with a tree specialist, one tree and full planting service. You can also get shrubs, native garden kits and edible garden kits.

Replace your ash tree and save $100 off a new tree! Limited number of rebates available to York Region property owners.

The Program is a partnership between Richmond Hill, York Region and the Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF). LEAF has planted more than 17,000 native trees and shrubs in residential backyards since 1996.

Call LEAF at 416-413-9244 for more information about their program.

Richmond Hill Blooms

Are you proud of your healthy yard and beautiful garden? Richmond Hill Blooms is an event that allows the community to showcase the best gardens in Richmond Hill. Learn how to nominate a garden for the annual Richmond Hill Blooms contest.

Backyard Habitat Certification

The Canadian Wildlife Federation's Backyard Habitat Certification Program recognizes the amazing efforts Canadians are taking to meet the habitat needs of wildlife.

Get Certified!

The Canadian Wildlife Federation allows individuals to have their property certified by officially designating their gardens as wildlife friendly. Whether you have a small patio or acres of land, your property may receive certification once specific criteria and established best practices are met.

Visit the Canadian Wildlife Federation website for more information. You can also find helpful gardening resources on the Backyard Habitat and Native Plant Encyclopedia webpages.

Other Resources

National Flight of the Monarch Day
Richmond Hill is proud to participate in the Flight of the Monarch Day on August 22, a nationwide event to celebrate the iconic monarch butterfly.
David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) Butterflyway Project
Richmond Hill is part of the David Suzuki Foundation's Butterflyway Project which is a citizen-led movement growing highways of habitat for pollinators across Canada. Become part of Richmond Hill's Butterflyway by planting a pollinator patch in your yard.
Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. is a group of trained and certified volunteers who give gardening advice to the general public.
North American Native Plant Society (NANPS)

NANPS is a charitable organization concerned with preserving native plant habitat in wild areas and restoring indigenous flora to developed areas. Their key purpose is to provide information and inspire an appreciation of native plants with an aim to restoring healthy ecosystems across the continent.

They offer resources on native plant gardens including workshops and an annual plant sale.
Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society (RHGHS)

The objective of the Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society is to promote interest, involvement, education, and improvement in all areas of horticulture, thereby providing beauty and enjoyment throughout the community. Become a member to access resources and view upcoming guest speakers.
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority offers a number of fact sheets providing information on how to create a healthy yard, including natural lawn care, wildlife habitat and rain gardens. 

View TRCA Healthy Yards fact sheets

View TRCA calendar of events

Richmond Hill's Community Garden Programs

Community gardens provide residents with a number of social and environmental benefits including opportunities to engage in a healthy recreational activity, spend time with friends and neighbours, meet new people, grow and/or learn about growing nutritious food, as well as ornamental and native plants.

Richmond Hill offers two community garden programs - rental of plots at allotment gardens to grow vegetables and support for groups who would like to start a community garden on public land.