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Healthy Yards

Healthy Yards

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HomeEnvironment and SustainabilityHealthy Yards

More in this Section...

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.

Learn more about native plant species.

Healthy Yards Plant and Garden Sale 

Each spring, Richmond Hill residents can pre-order native trees, shrubs, perennial wildflower kits, rain barrels and/or composters. York Region residents outside of Richmond Hill can pre-order composters only. 

The 2025 Plant & Garden sale has ended. Thanks to everyone who pre-ordered items. See you on distribution day, May 31 at the pickup time you selected!

Product Guide

View the 2025 Plant and Product Guide

Order Pickup Details

Pre-ordered 2025 items will be available for drive-thru pick-up on Saturday, May 31 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park (1300 Elgin Mills Road East), Parking Lot D near the skateboard park. Please pick up your order during the time slot you selected when you placed the order.

Terms and conditions
  • All orders must be picked up on distribution day. No special arrangements will be made.
    • A Drive-thru Pickup Time Slot must be selected for all orders.
  • The City of Richmond Hill is not responsible for plant material that does not survive after it is delivered.
  • In circumstances where plant material is not available we will substitute with another plant that is similar to your original choice.
  • All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges. If you make a mistake on your order, email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca and we will try to update your order.
  • Quantities are limited per household to:
    • Five trees and/or shrubs 
    • One native perennial flower kit
    • One backyard composter
    • Two rain barrels

If you have any questions, email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca. 

Free wood chips for your garden

Image of parking lot outside Tom Graham Arena

The wood chip pile is available each year from the first Friday in May to the Friday after Thanksgiving.

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 east 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.

Backyard Tree Planting Program

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

LEAF Backyard Tree Planting Program

Green your yard with help from LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests)! Through the LEAF's subsidized Backyard Tree Planting Program, you can get expert advice and affordable native trees and shrubs for your property.

The Full Service Program ranges from $160 - $230 +HST and includes a site consultation with an arborist, one 5 to 8 foot tall native deciduous tree or 2 to 4 foot tall native evergreen, mulch, delivery, full planting service and ongoing support.

Prefer to plant your own? The Do-It-Yourself option ranges from $110 to $180 +HST and includes a virtual consultation with an arborist, one tree, mulch, delivery and access to planting and care videos.

You can also choose from a variety of individual native shrubs or explore seven unique themed shrub bundles, including edible, butterfly and native bee! Native pawpaws are also available!

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 a program that allows the community to showcase the best gardens in Richmond Hill. Learn how to nominate a garden to receive recognition with this year's lawn sign.

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.

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.

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Contact(s)

Richmond Hill Municipal Offices

225 East Beaver Creek Road,

Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4

905-771-8800

access@richmondhill.ca

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