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 subsidized native plant kits, backyard composters and rain barrels 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.

If you would like to be notified when the 2018 plant and garden sale starts, subscribe to this page by clicking on 'Receive email updates' at the bottom of the page. 

Healthy Yards Event

The Healthy Yards Event will take place on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the National Public Works Week Open House held at Richmond Hill's Operations Centre located at 1200 Elgin Mills Road East.

At the Healthy Yards Event, residents can:

• Pick up pre-ordered plant kits, backyard composters and rain barrels
• Get free wood chips
• Get free expert advice on backyard naturalization and organic lawn care
• Win gardening prizes

Backyard Tree Planting Program

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

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.

Get certified!

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

Master Gardeners

Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. is a group of trained and certified volunteers who give gardening advice to the general public.