Be YardSmart

Be YardSmart

Enjoy a beautiful, water-wise yard that's easy to maintain and suited to Calgary's unique climate. 

YardSmart’s resources and practical advice help Calgarians establish and maintain yards and gardens that are well suited to Calgary’s growing conditions and use less water. YardSmart gardens are also pollinator friendly, and can provide food and habitat for bees and butterflies.

Together we are water wise.

On this page

Water wise yards near you

This gallery will help you discover and get inspired by the beautiful, water wise yards in your neighbourhood. To learn more about creating a water wise yard, check out YardSmart's steps to success.

Front yard showstopper

Deer Run, S.E.

This garden bed features many YardSmart plants including salvia, hostas, peonies and bergenias - all topped with mulch. You'll also find a hidden large tote for rainwater collection (left of the garden bed).

An enchanting garden retreat

West Hillhurst, N.W.

Features a variety of water wise perennials, shrubs and lawn alternatives.

A beautiful backyard oasis

Douglas Dale, S.E.

Features a rain barrel, partial sun garden beds, as well as a mix of water wise trees and shrubs.

Tiered to perfection

Bonavista, S.E.

Features tiered landscaping with a mix of trees, shrubs and perennials. The silent hero - a healthy layer of mulch - helps these plants thrive and keep water where it's needed most.

A new addition awaits

Silver Springs, N.W.

This new garden at the Botanical Garden of Silver Springs features a full sun garden layout and a blend of fescue grasses and sedum. To visit the garden, click the link below and look for 'YardSmart Garden' on the Garden Map.

Visit the garden

Show us your YardSmart yard

Your beautiful, water wise yard is ready for its close-up. Share your YardSmart yard with us to be featured above. Simply complete and submit the form below to be considered.

Share my YardSmart yard

How do I know if I have a YardSmart yard?

A YardSmart yard uses water wisely and thrives in hot, dry or wet conditions. If you have one or more of the following, you likely have a YardSmart yard:

  • Drought tolerant, water-wise plants 
  • Lawn alternatives
  • Rain barrels or other rain harvesting set-ups 
  • Efficient irrigation systems
  • Native plants 
  • Rain gardens

Know your watering days and times

Calgary’s lawn and landscape watering schedule lets us take turns to protect our water supply. Watering your lawn and outdoor landscaping with a sprinkler or irrigation system on set days helps reduce strain on Calgary’s water system during peak demand for water.

Find your watering days

YardSmart plant guides

Use our YardSmart plant guides to help you choose plants at your local garden centre or native seed supplier.

Garden bed design guides

View our professionally created garden bed design guide series that includes layouts for all areas of your yard. Once established, these gardens take little time, effort, and water to maintain.

Steps to success

Following basic YardSmart principles will set you up for gardening success in Calgary.

1. Design your yard

2. Consider removing some lawn or using alternatives

3. Have good soil and lots of it

  • Add a base of at least eight inches of good quality soil for a healthy garden or lawn.
  • Visit Top Soil Calculator to determine how much soil you need for a project.
  • Improve your soil by adding compost. For directions on how to apply compost in your yard, visit Compost.org.
  • Visit calgary.ca/compost to learn about the City of Calgary’s compost giveaway

4. Choose plants that thrive in Calgary

5. Add mulch for beauty above and below

  • Add bark, wood chips or stones to reduce evaporation from your soil, slow weed growth and decrease erosion.
  • To find out how much mulch you need to buy for a flower bed, visit Plan Your YardSmart yard.
  • Get free mulch at the East Calgary Landfill.

6. Water wisely

  • Water your lawn and landscaping with a sprinkler or irrigation system on your three assigned watering days per week, up to 45 hours. Water between 12 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. to reduce evaporation.
  • Use a rain barrel as a free source of soft, warm water for your yard.
  • Water low and slow - low targeting the plant roots and slow with a watering can, soaker hose or drip irrigation.
  • Visit our Watering 101 - mature landscaping or new landscaping guides for watering tips.

YardSmart Basics brochures

Download our YardSmart Basics brochure along with other translated versions (Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese) for more information on each of the steps.

YardSmart translation library

Visit our YardSmart translation library to find our gardening guides in one place and in a variety of languages, including Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, and simplified and traditional Chinese.

YardSmart translation library

YardSmart how-to videos

Pollinator Friendly Yards

Pest Free Gardens

Creating a New Garden Bed

Fertilizing Plants

Effective Watering

Plants for Calgary's Climate

How to Garden on a Budget

Planning a Garden Bed

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