Maintenance

Performing regular maintenance on you street garden will ensure your plants stay healthy and beautiful.

• Street gardens are surrounded by pavement that stores heat during the day and gives it off at night, creating a hot, dry environment for your plants. Certain plants are much more suited to these tough conditions than others. Using drought-tolerant plants will lower maintenance requirements for the gardener and lower demands on our water supply. For ideas on successful plants for your street garden, view the Green Streets Plant List. For information on waterwise gardening, visit Grow Natural.
• Add compost to your garden once or twice a year. Compost acts as mulch, reducing moisture evaporation and suppressing weeds. It’s also a nutritious soil amendment. The Green Streets Program provides free compost to volunteers in spring and fall.
• Keep the garden clean, tidy and weed-free. Weeds compete for soil nutrients and moisture which can negatively influence the health of your ornamental plants.
• Garden trimmings can be added to your home compost bin or combined with your regular yard trimmings collection. The Green Streets Program provides additional trimmings bags for larger clean-ups as needed.
• Outdoor pesticides cannot be used in the City of Vancouver. For pest problems, consult your local garden centre or the Master Gardeners for information alternative methods of pest control. Further information is also available on the Park Board's Pest Problems webpage or the City's Grow Natural webpage.
• If you have a tree in your street garden, please read the guidelines for Working Around Street Trees. If not, carry on to the Safety Guidelines.