ACT

Grow a salmon-friendly yard and garden

EMAIL PRINT

When draining hot tubs or pools, direct the water slowly into the ground or sewer system. Never drain water into streets and storm drains. Chemicals such as chlorine are toxic to salmon and other animals.

Download more Lawn & Garden Tips from Fisheries and Oceans Canada

A Citizen’s Guide to Low Impact Development
When urban development covers the land with buildings, concrete, and asphalt, less rain soaks into the soil. The water stays on the surface and runs off quickly into streams, ditches, and storm drains, which also empty into streams. The result is “urban runoff.”

Whether your garden is two feet or two kilometers from the nearest creek, stream, lake or harbour, it affects salmon. Everything that runs off your property into storm drains eventually washes through their habitat. Salmon friendly gardens are beautiful, healthy and easy to maintain. They work with natural processes to grow plants with minimal irrigation, fertilizer and pesticides. These gardens keep pollutants out of streams and lakes, where they can harm salmon habitat. They also save time and money. Here are some tips for growing a salmon friendly garden:

- Plant native or drought-tolerant plants.
- Use a mulch mower and fertilize your lawn without chemicals.
- Water heavily once a week during the early evening hours when water evaporates less.
- Pull weeds by hand or learn to live with them instead of using pesticides and herbicides.

See more at Salmon Friendly Seattle

Download a brochure on Salmon Friendly Lawns from Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society