3 Ways to Create a Drought-Resistant Yard You’ll Love

Hotter, drier stretches are becoming a regular challenge in many parts of Canada — and they can affect everything from lawns to local water supplies. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Drought Monitor is Canada’s official national source for monitoring and reporting drought conditions, and it tracks where conditions are “abnormally dry” or in drought across the country.

Dry conditions can also raise wildfire risk. Canada’s 2023 wildfire season was the most destructive on record, highlighting how quickly drought and heat can escalate into broader impacts.

Water restrictions and conservation rules are in place across many parts of Canada, and you may notice that your yard is looking a little worse for wear.

However, being responsible with water use doesn’t mean that you need to give up on your yard. You may just need to change things up to adapt to this more variable, often hotter and drier reality.

Many homeowners have dreams of a lush green lawn. However, grass takes quite a bit of water to grow and maintain.

In times of water scarcity and restrictions, it’s really not a practical option for ground cover. Using something different to cover your yard will not only help you save water, but also give your property a more unique look.

Alternative ground covers include:

Mulch retains water and keeps the soil underneath cooler. Not only does this create favourable growth conditions for your plants and hinder the growth of weeds, but it also slows down evaporation, which is ideal during times of drought.

There are several types of mulch, but for drought-resistance, you should avoid mulches that don’t improve soil in planting beds (like rubber). Stone or gravel can work in the right place (paths, xeriscape areas), but may reflect heat in full sun — so placement matters.

Instead, look for organic mulches that will break down over time and add their own nutrients to the soil and plants. These include straw, wood shavings, grass clippings, bark chips and shredded leaves.

Apply mulch in an even layer (often a few inches deep), and avoid piling it directly against plant stems or tree trunks.

Choosing the right plants for your soil type and climate zone is always important, but especially during a drought. One of the best ways to do this is to choose plants that are native to your area. These plants are familiar with the local soil and weather conditions, giving them better odds of survival.

If you’re struggling to find native plants that suit your style, expand your search to non-native, drought-tolerant plants. While all plants and flowers need water, these plants are known to thrive in hot, dry conditions and can be a great addition to your garden.

Some examples of commonly used drought-tolerant garden plants (availability varies by region) include:

Visit local garden centres or nurseries to purchase native plants and flowers for your yard. Don’t remove them from the natural landscape, as it could have a negative impact on the ecosystem.

In addition to the tips above, a big part of creating a drought-resistant yard is ensuring that you have proper soil that retains moisture and drains well. Water-wise landscaping (xeriscaping) approaches generally focus on matching plants to site conditions and reducing irrigation needs once plants are established.

You’ll also want to be mindful of where and how you plant. Every plant or flower has different requirements when it comes to sunlight as well as water. Strategize planting in areas that do get some shade, especially during times of drought, to give your plants and flowers a break from the sun if needed. Shaded areas will help retain moisture better than areas that are full, direct sunlight for the majority of the day.

Keeping your yard and garden looking lush and beautiful can be difficult at the best of times, but even more so during a drought. So instead of trying to fight the dry conditions, work with them and use them to your advantage to create a yard that will not just survive, but also thrive.