From The City of Red Deer: Plant and Mulch Rebate Programs

Using native and drought-tolerant plants and permeable mulch in your home landscaping can save you time and money as your yard will require less watering and fertilizer.

New for 2019, The City of Red Deer is offering a Plant Rebate Program where residents who purchase plants that are native and/or drought-tolerant and plant them in their home landscaping can apply for a rebate of up to $50.

Application forms will be available:

• Online: Plant Rebate Form
• To print: Plant Rebate Application Form (pdf)  
• To pick up from the first floor of City Hall (4914 – 48 Avenue) or from Environmental Services front desk at Civic Yards (7721 – 40 Avenue)

New for 2019, The City of Red Deer is offering a Mulch Rebate Program where residents who purchase and install permeable mulch in their home landscaping can apply for a rebate of up to $50.

• Online: Mulch Rebate Form
• To print: Mulch Rebate Application Form (pdf)
• To pick up from the first floor of City Hall (4914 – 48 Avenue) or from Environmental Services front desk at Civic Yards (7721 – 40 Avenue)

Who qualifies for a rebate?

You qualify if you:

• Are a city of Red Deer resident
• Have a City of Red Deer utility (water bill) account
• Purchase a plant from the 2019 Qualifying Plants List (pdf) in the 2019 calendar year
• Plant the approved plant on your own property located in the city of Red Deer
• Include an original or copy of the receipt of your plant purchase. The receipt must clearly indicate the name of the store, product name, price and date of purchase. Your name must be clearly written on the receipt.
• Include before and after photos of the landscaped area
• Include photos of the plant, ensuring the photo includes a plant identifier tag or label

The program will run from June 10 to October 25, 2019. A limited number of rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A rebate of 50 per cent of the cost of approved plants, up to $50, is applied to your utility account. Please allow eight to twelve weeks for the credit to be applied to your account.

Maximum one plant rebate per utility account. Plants in pots or planters do not qualify.

How to select the right plants for my yard

• Rebates are only provided for the purchase of plants that are identified on the City of Red Deer qualifying plants list. This list includes plants that adapt well to Red Deer’s local conditions and that are low maintenance.
• When selecting plants and designing your yard consider the following:
• Location: does the location get full sun, partial shade, or lots of shade?
• Spacing: some plants grow high or spread out wide, plan the planting area for plant full maturity size.
• Soil texture: Red Deer’s soil can range from black loam to heavy clay. Consider adding mulch, compost, or conditioners (like manure, sand and perlite) to improve drainage and growing conditions.
• Soil pH and nutrient levels: some plants have specific pH and nutrient requirements. Select plants that can grow well in your soil’s current conditions. You may also work to adjust the pH and nutrient levels by using amendments like lime, compost, and slow-release organic fertilizers.
• Climate: how hot and dry does your yard get during the growing season?

How to care for my plants

• Applying mulch around your plants has multiple benefits, including conserving water, preventing weed growth, preventing soil erosion, and improving soil quality. Apply a layer of 2 to 4 inches of mulch, approximately 3 inches from the base of the plant. Apply for a mulch rebate today (see below).
• Native and drought-tolerant plants require more water during their first year, to ensure that the root system is strongly established. Water 1-2 times per week spring and fall months, and 2-3 times per week during the summer months of July and August. Use rainwater to water your plants. Apply for a rain barrel rebate today.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do before and after photos have to be taken?

Mulch that qualifies for a rebate must be used for the purpose of:

• Conserving water in a landscaped area
• Reducing erosion and stormwater pollution

Before and after photos demonstrate that the mulch was applied as landscaping or groundcover, rather than for cosmetic purposes.

Native/drought-tolerant plants that qualify for rebates must be used for the purpose of conserving water in a landscaped area. Before and after photos demonstrate that the plants were planted directly in the yard, rather than in pots or planters.

Why is there a qualifying plants list?

The qualifying plants list was developed to ensure that only non-invasive plants are purchased and planted. The list includes native and drought-tolerant plants that The City has determined grow well under local conditions and support the water conservation and water quality protection goals of the program.

Why can’t I receive a rebate for mulch or plants that were purchased prior to 2019?

There is a limited annual budget. Each year has its own budget and we want to ensure that as many residents have the opportunity to participate as possible.

How many rebates can I get? 

Maximum one (1) Plant Rebate and one (1) Mulch Rebate per utility account is permitted.

How many rebates are available? 

Funding is available for approximately 100 rebates in 2019. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

How long will it take for my rebate to be processed? 

A credit will be applied to your utility account within 8-12 weeks.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call 403-342-8750.