May 28, 2026
Food gardens are exempt from Calgary's new watering schedule — here's what you can still water
If you've been worried that the new permanent watering schedule means your tomatoes, kale, and herb pots have to wait for the right day of the week — good news, they don't.
James Runge at the City of Calgary's Community Partners office sent us the carve-out in writing. Food-growing crops are not included in the lawn and landscape watering schedule. You can water vegetables, fruits, and herbs in your yard or on your balcony as needed.
The Water Utility Bylaw (page 53) also defines what's allowed at each restriction stage:
| Stage | Risk level | Edible crops can use |
|---|---|---|
| **Stage 1** | Low | Sprinklers + spring-loaded nozzles |
| **Stage 2** | Moderate | Sprinklers + spring-loaded nozzles |
| **Stage 3** | High | Spring-loaded nozzles only |
| **Stage 4** | Severe | Spring-loaded nozzles only |
A spring-loaded nozzle is the kind that automatically shuts off when you let go of the handle — basically every modern garden-hose attachment. If you've got one, you're covered all the way through Stage 4.
Community gardens and urban farms
The same protections apply to community garden plots, urban farms, nurseries, garden centres, and turf/tree farms. Any plants grown for commercial sale or donation can be watered through every restriction stage — that includes the food-growing community organizations our CA neighbours run.
If you're part of an SHCA garden plot or know someone who runs one, share this — there was real worry the bylaw would make food growing harder. It does the opposite.
Reminder on the lawn schedule
The general lawn-and-landscaping schedule came into effect April 29, 2026:
- Even addresses (0/2/4/6/8): Tue · Thu · Sat
- Odd addresses (1/3/5/7/9): Wed · Fri · Sun
- Before 10 AM or after 7 PM in both cases
Use water wisely
Even with the exemption, the City asks growers to use efficient practices and water only what's needed. Mulch heavily, water deeply at the root rather than spraying leaves, water in the cool of the morning or evening, and use a hand-held container or wand for spot watering where you can.
More tips at the City's Be YardSmart — Effective Watering page.
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Content shared by James Runge, Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator, City of Calgary. Forwarded for SHCA members and anyone in a community garden program.