Recent changes to the City of Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw mean Calgarians will soon be able to raise chickens in their yards.

An urban hen licensing program is in the planning stages and is expected to be launched by spring 2022, with initial permits capped at 100 households through 2023.

Most sellers in this day and age recognize the value of staging a home's interior, but what about the backyard?

Especially in the summer months, when outdoor spaces often look their best, a well-staged backyard can be a major selling point and might just help you seal the deal with a buyer.

Working from home lent convenience to the lives of many Calgarians over the last year, but distraction can take its toll.

Competing for space with pets, children, a spouse or roommates can steal concentration quickly. As a result, backyard offices have become a trendy way to create a healthy boundary between home and work.

Calgary is still stuck in the throes of winter, but many homeowners are already planning their landscape projects for 2021 to ensure they have an outdoor space to enjoy this summer.

Due to the ongoing safety concerns around dining out these days, the humble backyard grill – already a fixture for many during the summer months – has newfound appeal.

If you're new to the grilling game or your current barbecue has seen better days, it might be time to go shopping. However, there are some key points to consider before you buy.

Despite the gradual reopening of businesses and other public spaces as part of Alberta's relaunch strategy, COVID-19 still loom large in our daily lives several months into the pandemic. As a result, the humble backyard might be where many Calgarians spend much of their time outdoors this summer – whether they're seeking sanctuary or a place for small, physically distanced gatherings with friends and family.

So, there's no time like the present to make the most of that space. Here are six easy ways to spruce up your yard and create the outdoor oasis you've always wanted.

When it comes to landscaping and outdoor living, Calgarians have a lot of options to choose from, both in terms of features and the latest products. CREB®Now talked to two leading Calgary companies to find out a few of the hottest trends in luxury landscaping.

A dove flies into our water feature and starts flapping its wings – it's 7 p.m. and it's bath time.

We'd love to live on a lake, but we don't. Luckily, the sound of water attracts wildlife to the 60-centimetre-wide, recirculating bird bath on our tiny back patio. Under a tree, next to our sitting area and in plain view of our indoor dining table, our water feature has become the virtual reality show of our garden.

Embracing the possibilities of outdoor living

Given Calgary's sometimes seemingly endless winters, it's important to make the most of summer.
That's why people have embraced landscaping trends that create outdoor living spaces in their own backyard.