Planting leafy trees on the southwest side of your home provides shade for your home in the summer and allows the sun to provide heat and light in the winter. When you plant grasses, trees and plant species that are native to Manitoba, you also reduce the amount of watering you need to do because these plants are used to the rainfall patterns of our province.

More Information

• Low Maintenance Lawn Information: Learn how to reduce the time and resources required to maintain your lawn.
• Improving Stormwater Management in Your Yard:  Learn how to improve your lawn’s ability to handle stormwater.
• Water Saving Tips for Your Lawn and Garden: Learn how resource-efficient landscaping can contribute to having a greener home.
• City of Winnipeg Organic Lawn Care Guide: This online resource guide provides the information about maintaining your lawn using organic and natural methods.
• FortWhyte Alive's Naturescape Program: Transform your outdoor space into a habitat for Manitoba flora and fauna by incorporating elements that enhance biodiversity: food, water, shelter and space.
• The Evergreen Plant Database: This database is an easy to use, interactive resource with information about native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, and vine species for all regions of Canada.
• Plant a Deciduous Shade Tree: This BC Hydro fact sheet demonstrates the energy saving possibilities from a well designed yard and a well placed broad leaf tree.

Help us keep this information current. If you know of a web page with good information on this topic, or if you know of a grant or refund program that could help fund a home greening project please let us know by sending an email to yourgreenerhome@assiniboine.mb.ca.