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 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 on Now!

Create a beautiful garden at a low cost until May 20 or while supplies last! 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.

Product Guide and pricing

View the 2025 Plant and Product Guide

Please note: There is a limit of 5 trees and/or shrubs, 1 wildflower kit, 2 rain barrels and 1 composter per household. There are no limits on worm castings.

	Richmond Hill Residents	York Region Residents
Trees/Shrubs	$6.18	Unavailable
Wildflower Kits	$27.19	Unavailable
Rain Barrels	$61.44	Unavailable
Composters	$26.40	$26.40
Worm Castings	$20.00	Unavailable

Prices do not include HST.

How to Order

Pre-order items through the online store

*Please note that some items sell out fast. Once items are marked 'Sold out' they are sold out and will not be re-stocked.

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.

Maximize Your Healthy Yard Workshop - April 16

Growing native trees, shrubs and wildflowers can help your garden thrive and improve the natural environment. Learn how to choose the right native plants for your yard and how to install and use rain barrels and composters. We'll also highlight and review the native plants and eco-friendly garden products available through this year's Plant & Garden Online Sale.

Date & time: Wednesday, April 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
Location: Bayview Hill Community Centre, 114 Spadina Road

Free wood chips for your garden

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

Trees range from 5' to 8' and costs range from $160 to $230. 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.

Replace your ash tree and save $100 off a new tree! Limited number of rebates available to York Region property owners.

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

North American Native Plant Society (NANPS)

Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society (RHGHS)

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

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.

Receive Email Updates...