Grass is greener when it’s not grass at all, one expert said, and the city seems to agree in recommending Calgarians switch their thirsty turf for low-maintenance alternatives that promote leaner water usage. 

Kick-starting the summer, the city reminded residents of their YardSmart initiative in a new release posted on May 27. In partnership with the Calgary Horticultural Society, the program offers resources that promote responsible gardening.

From how-to videos to planter design ideas, YardSmart provides topical advice and suggests employing eco-friendly strategies for maintaining lavish lawns, all while navigating the city’s undoubtedly dry climate. 

“Making our years more resistant to drier conditions is not necessarily about digging them up and starting again,” the news release read, quoting local horticulturalist Kath Smyth.

“Instead, it’s thinking about appropriate soil cultivation, plant choice, and garden maintenance.”

New to the 2025 program was the recommendation that residents should trade their grass lawns for microclover or creeping thyme due to how they thrive in dry conditions with needing little water.

According to an article published by Montana State University, microclover has soft, small leaves and a low growth habit, whereas creeping thyme is slightly rougher. Both of which are common alternatives to regular turf grass and survive the winter in the same way. 

Lawns in Canada are often made of cool-season turfgrass due to the long, cold spells experienced nationwide. Despite this, Kentucky bluegrass, which needs more sun than other types, is the most common grass installed in backyards.

Turning away from traditional grass

With a background as a horticulturalist and landscaper, Colin Hayles currently works at Golden Acre Home and Garden, a centre located in Calgary’s northeast. He said that he frequently gets customers inquiring about what they should do to make their lawns look better. 

Hayles said that most people want a tough lawn that can withstand roughhousing from children and pets, while also looking lush and green — maybe even Instagram-worthy, he said. 

“For most of us, I think it becomes an unattainable goal,” said Hayles. 

He said that he understands why Kentucky bluegrass, for example, is the fan favourite grass type for plots like parks and outdoor sports fields. But for residential yards, Hayles finds that grass is not always what it’s cracked up to be. 

“It does get expensive, it gets time-consuming,” he said.

“The seed, the watering, the top dressing…all of that starts adding up.”

Aside from the manicuring labour associated with grass lawns, Hayles said that last summer’s Bearspaw south feeder main break, which resulted in a local state of emergency impacting over one million residents, made people realize how much water they’re using — and the money they’re spending. 

Despite conventional grasses keeping the title as the most sold, he said that patrons have become more open to testing out different options, and that the lawn alternatives department of their garden centre has been sprouting in popularity year after year.

“It’s the fastest-growing,” said Hayles. 

“We’ve already completely sold out of our brand of clover.”

With microclover being low-growing, he said that this means less mowing and water is needed for it to stay green and well-kept. Additionally, Hayles said that microclover is best planted on top of preexisting grass because it acts as a natural fertilizer. 

“It’s a nitrogen fixer, and that basically means it has more nitrogen than it knows what to do with,” he said.

Nitrogen is a common ingredient in a number of fertilizer brands due to how it significantly aids plant growth as a result of its high protein content. 

Whether it’s used on crops or lawn turf, nitrogen is acknowledged by the Alberta Government as being especially productive at assisting growth in areas of moderate drought, which Calgary has been classified as since May 13. 

Both microclover and creeping thyme must be planted into the soil rather than scattered across like grass seeds. While creeping thyme is slightly weaker and bounces back from winter slower than microclover, Hayles said that it is easier to plant as it often comes in pre-cut trays. 

The most important takeaway of these lawn alternatives, according to him, is the money they save overtime and pollinators they attract, benefiting not only personal gardens, but bank accounts and the environment as a whole. 

“At the end of the day, who doesn’t like saving money and feeling good about maybe doing their part for the planet,” said Hayles. 

“It’s a win-win, 100 per cent.”