City Government

Landscaping and Outdoor Environment

Eco-Landscaping Makes Sense

Eco-friendly landscaping offers a wide range of landscape design possibilities that can help your home look great while minimizing chemical fertilizers, reducing water consumption and saving money. Lawns and gardens also provide valuable green space and help increase infiltration and decrease the flow of water off your lot. This in turn reduces the demands on the storm sewer system and can decrease contaminants entering the North Saskatchewan River.

Lawns

Lawns only need 2.5 centimetres of water per week to stay nice and green. Learn more about lawn care.

Native Plants

Choose plants that thrive in Edmonton’s local climate. Learn about types of drought tolerant plants and native plants suitable to landscaping.

Trees

A well-placed line of evergreens on the north and west side of your home provides shelter against winter winds and reduces your home’s demand for heat.
Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) on the south side of your house provide shade in the summer, and sunshine during winter.

Soil, Mulch and Compost

Provide a minimum of 15 centimetres of soil for lawn areas and 30 to 45 centimetres for shrubs.
Soil should be good quality, contain organic material such as compost and drain well.
Mulching in the spring reduces weeds and the need to water. Mulching in the fall protects plants against winter.
Use a backyard composting bin to make natural fertilizer and soil conditioner out of household and yard scraps.

Irrigation & Rainwater

Ensure that irrigation systems use drip or low-volume nozzles wherever possible.
Automatic shut-off devices or times are also recommended
Capture and store rainwater in a cistern or barrel to irrigate your garden

Did You Know?
Eco-landscaping approaches to your home’s lawn and garden reduce energy use while improving the aesthetic and property value of your home.