Best Landscaper in Chilliwack, British Columbia

Local lawn notes

What the Best Landscaper in Chilliwack Plans Around

The City's own plan says Chilliwack sits in a wide valley framed by the Coast and Cascade mountains, with the Fraser River along its north edge. That setting shapes every lawn here.

An early start and a late finish

Environment Canada climate normals (1981 to 2010) for the Chilliwack station, just 11 metres above sea level, put the last spring frost around April 7. The first fall frost comes around November 1. That's about 207 frost-free days.

The station's record is less complete than an airport's, but the pattern is plain. Mowing starts early and runs late, so book your spring and fall cleanups as bookends.

River silt under the grass

A 1962 soil survey found most of Chilliwack flat and under 50 feet above sea level. Its low ground came from Fraser River floods. The Chilliwack River added layers up to 50 feet thick, much of it over the old Sumas Lake bed.

Low ground stays soft after rain. The City's tip is to skip mowing when grass is very wet or very dry, and good crews follow it.

Wet winters, golden Augusts

The same station logs about 1,668 mm of rain and snow a year. November alone brings about 284 mm, and July only about 48.

The City says lawns that aren't watered in summer go dormant and "golden," then bounce back with the fall rain. Its mowing advice fits weekly lawn mowing: leave grass 7 to 8 cm (3 inches) tall, keep blades sharp and leave the clippings.

Hills and shade

Not every yard is flat. The City's Eastern Hillsides plan says about 45% of that area is steeper than 30%. In South Vedder, the Promontory hillside casts shadows at some times of year. Shady, sloped lawns grow slower, so your crew sets the schedule to match.

Chilliwack rules that touch your lawn

• Long grass. The Community Standards Bylaw (No. 5041) calls grass or weeds over 25 cm unsightly. That covers your boulevard too. If a notice is ignored, the City can do the work at the owner's cost, and unpaid bills go on the property taxes.
• Invasive plants. Owners can't let plants like Japanese knotweed or giant hogweed grow.
• Watering. Rules run May 1 to October 15. In Stage 1, even addresses sprinkle Wednesday and Saturday, odd addresses Thursday and Sunday, from 5 to 8 a.m. or 7 to 10 p.m. Hand watering is fine anytime.
• Yard waste. The green cart goes out weekly. You can add up to 10 kraft paper yard waste bags or tied bundles a week, all year. No plastic bags.
• Ditches. Don't dump yard waste within 30 metres of a stream or ditch.
• Weed spraying. B.C. needs a certificate or licence for most lawn pesticide use, so our partner crews don't spray.

Rules change, so check the City first. Sources: property maintenance, watering, yard waste, lawn tips, pesticides, climate normals, soil survey.