Growing Trends
Creating gardens that use less water and protect our environment is a growing trend.
Low-water gardens allow you to spend less time watering and more time on the things that matter most to you, whether that’s on the fairway, enjoying time with family and friends or just peaceful ‘you’ time.
Explore these other ‘growing trends’ for easy ways to create your own peaceful, low-maintenance outdoor oasis:
Bee a friend and plant native flowers to protect our pollinators
Native bee populations and Honeybee colonies are quickly disappearing. You can help by planting native flowers in your garden or in a pot on your balcony to attract important pollinators, providing the food and shelter they need. Every plant makes a difference.
Find the right plants for your outdoor space in the Grow Me Instead guide - beautiful non-invasive plants for your garden.
- Create a butterfly garden using an easy-to-use kit
- Build a butterflyway through your community
- Check plant names in the Canadian Wildlife Federation Native Plant Encyclopedia
- Track Monarch migration online
Save time and money with water-saving tips
Water doesn’t grow on trees. Reduce your outdoor watering needs and save money in the process by:
- Choosing native plants in a variety of stunning colours and textures will help your garden flourish and attract important pollinators while using use less water
- Collecting rainwater as a source of water for your plants
- Following your city or town’s Outdoor Water-Use bylaw
- Installing water-efficient sprinklers and checking them often for leaks
- Mulching garden beds to help moisture stay in the ground
- Sweeping your driveway or deck instead of using a hose
- Using a pool cover to prevent evaporation and constant filling
‘You’ time is precious
Spending time outdoors is good for your mental health, lowers stress levels and can improve your mood.
Create a beautiful, low-maintenance outdoor oasis by choosing native plants, using mulch and installing or checking your smart irrigation system.
Find the right plants for your outdoor space in the Grow Me Instead guide - beautiful non-invasive plants for your garden.
Spend less time watering your lawn
An established lawn only needs 2 to 3 cm of water per week – watering once a week is enough and will encourage deep, strong root growth to ensure your lawn can cope with hot, dry summer weather.
Installing an in-ground irrigation system can help you maintain a beautiful yard while lowering your water consumption and costs.
If you already have an in-ground irrigation system, consider calling a Water Smart Irrigation Professional to ensure your system is running smoothly. Be sure to turn systems off when it’s raining and set sprinklers to go off only once a week during summer months.