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.

Healthy Yards Plant and Garden Sale

Please note that the 2018 sale is now over.

If you purchased any items, please remember that you must pick them up at the Healthy Yards Event on Saturday, May 26 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Operations Centre (1200 Elgin Mills Road East). You can also refer back to the 2018 Healthy Yards Plant, Rain Barrel and Composter Guide for full descriptions of the sale items.

A limited number of rain barrels and composters will be available for purchase at the event starting at 10 a.m.

If you have any questions or concerns about your order, please email us at naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca or call 905-771-8800.

To receive email updates about future sales, subscribe to this page by clicking on "Receive Email Updates" near 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

Free Gardening Workshops

In partnership with Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA), the Healthy Yards Program is offering free gardening workshops in 2018. Participants will receive a free 'Greening Your Grounds' or 'Creating Habitat' home landscaping guides.

Beautiful Native Plants: Less Work, Less Water

Tuesday, March 27, 2018 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Oak Ridges Community Centre (12895 Bayview Ave.)

Learn about the inspiring beauty and practical benefits of gardening with native plants. Register online or call 416-661-6600, ext. 5203.

The Magic of Rain Barrels

Tuesday, April 24, 2018 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Elgin West Community Centre (11099 Bathurst St.)

Learn how to install a barrel and start using rain to your advantage. Register online or call 416-661-6600, ext. 5203.

Gardening for Birds, Butterflies and Beyond

Wednesday, June 6 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Rouge Woods Community Centre (110 Shirley Dr.)

Learn how to attract and protect native species with beautiful landscape features. Register online or call 416-661-6600, ext. 5203.

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.

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

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.

Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA)

Toronto and Region Conservation 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.

Access Richmond Hill

Contact Us

Report Feedback