Maintaining your Lawn in Calgary
How to Keep Your Lawn Healthy All Season
Clear, simple lawn care guidance designed for Calgary’s climate to keep your grass green, strong, and thriving
Lawn Aeration and Top-dressing
Compacted soil prevents water, air and nutrients from reaching turf grass roots. Heavy soils such as clay and wet soils are prone to compaction, especially in high traffic areas.
Annual lawn aeration and topdressing will help to refresh and rejuvenate your lawn for the growing season.
A healthy, well-maintained lawn should have minimal thatch (accumulation of old leaves, clippings, stems, roots and other organic material that has failed to decay).
Thatch can prevent water and fertilizer from reaching the root zone as well as harbor plant diseases and pests.
Raking thoroughly is usually enough to remove thatch, however, in severe cases use either a vertical mower or contact a local landscape professional.
It is important to keep an eye on your grass throughout the summer. By monitoring your grass regularly you reduce the risk of undesirable conditions, such as pests or weeds taking over your lawn.
Maintaining a healthy lawn
If you had Calgary Landscaping install your new lawn, we have some good news. You have a blend of Kentucky Blue Grass that is Water Star qualified and TWCA approved.
This means your blend of grass already uses up to 50% less water and stays green longer in the season. If you have an existing lawn we can replace it, but if that is not an option following a good maintenance regime will help.
Mowing Your Lawn
Proper mowing keeps turf grass healthy and beautiful. Kentucky Bluegrass should be mowed at a height between 2-3″ (5-8 cm).
Don’t let your grass grow too tall so that it begins to fall over. The taller the grass, the less dense the lawn and the higher the chance of weed infestation.
Only remove 1/3 of the leaf height at once using a nice sharp mower blade.
TIPS: Don’t let your grass go to seed. You may think that it is beneficial for your lawn to re-seed itself, but it weakens healthy grass and pulls nutrients from the soil.
It is much better to use a Pro Grade Seed from a quality seed supplier.
Lawn Fertilizer
How much fertilizer your lawn needs depends on soil fertility and how much growth you want. We recommend using a starter fertilizer with newly installed grass.
Continue to fertilize using a 4-Step Program, which can be purchased at any local garden center. Always water-in the fertilizer to prevent burning.
Never apply fertilizer to wet grass leaves, especially during extreme heat.
Maintaining Your Lawn During a Drought: Expert Strategies for a Healthy Yard
Surprise! Your Kentucky Bluegrass from Calgary Landscaping is drought tolerant. If you are unable to water your established lawn, it is good to know that your Kentucky Bluegrass will go dormant during dry weather. Even though it looks sad, it will green up again with a good watering or rain.
Droughts can wreak havoc on outdoor landscapes, impacting lawns and gardens significantly. However, with the right strategies and care, you can minimize the damage and help your lawn recover once normal conditions return. Drawing from expert advice from various sources, here are essential tips to maintain your lawn during a drought effectively.
1. Understand Signs of a Lawn Impacted by Drought
Recognizing signs of drought stress is crucial for timely intervention. These signs include footprints remaining visible on the lawn, a bluish-purple or grayish sheen on grass blades, uniform yellowing or browning of the lawn, and hard, dry soil that repels water. Regularly inspect your lawn for these indicators to take appropriate action promptly.
2. Watering Efficiency
Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth and reduce water evaporation. Early morning watering between 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is ideal to minimize evaporation losses. Adjust your watering schedule based on the specific needs of your lawn and local water restrictions. Use rain gauges to track rainfall and supplement watering accordingly.
3. Mowing Practices
Set your mower blade to a higher position (2.5 to 4 inches) to promote a deeper root system, retain soil moisture, and discourage weed growth. Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass height in a single mowing to reduce stress on the grass during drought conditions.
4. Soil Care and Mulching
Mulch grass clippings instead of bagging them to retain moisture and nutrients in the soil. Maintain soil health by aerating and dethatching when conditions improve to promote better water penetration and root growth. Consider applying organic mulch around plants and garden beds to conserve soil moisture.
5. Fertilization and Weed Control
Delay fertilizer applications during drought periods, as excessive nitrogen can stress the lawn further. Focus on weed control to reduce competition for water and nutrients. Healthy lawns with strong root systems are more resilient to drought stress.
6. Equipment Maintenance
Regularly maintain lawn equipment, especially mower blades, to ensure clean cuts that minimize stress on grass blades. Sharp blades also reduce water loss and promote faster recovery of the lawn.
7. Dormancy Management
Allow your lawn to go dormant during extreme drought conditions, especially if it consists of cool-season grasses. Provide minimal water (one-quarter to one-half inch every two to four weeks) to keep the turf alive until conditions improve. Avoid breaking dormancy too early, as it can deplete plant reserves.
By implementing these expert strategies and adapting your lawn care practices to drought conditions, you can maintain a healthy and resilient lawn even during challenging periods of water scarcity. Conserving water, promoting deep root growth, and prioritizing soil health are key elements in sustaining your lawn’s beauty and vitality.
Maintaining Your Lawn FAQs
Lawn Maintenance and Care FAQs for Calgary Homeowners
Why is regular lawn maintenance important in Calgary?
Regular lawn maintenance supports healthy root growth, improves appearance, and helps turf withstand stress from Calgary’s dry air, wind, and temperature swings. Ongoing care also reduces weed pressure and lawn damage over time. Maintenance needs vary by soil type and exposure.
How often should a lawn be maintained during the growing season?
Maintenance frequency depends on grass type, weather conditions, and how the lawn is used. In Calgary, rapid weather changes can alter growth rates and moisture needs. Lawn care schedules are adjusted throughout the season rather than staying fixed.
What are common lawn problems in Calgary?
Common issues include drought stress, compacted soil, uneven growth, weed intrusion, and winter damage. Calgary’s clay soils and freeze thaw cycles can contribute to these challenges. Identifying the underlying cause helps guide proper treatment.
How does mowing affect lawn health?
Proper mowing supports even growth and encourages deeper rooting. Cutting too short or too infrequently can stress grass, especially in Calgary’s hot and windy conditions. Mowing height and frequency are adjusted based on turf condition and season.
How important is watering for lawn maintenance?
Watering plays a key role in lawn health but must be balanced to avoid shallow roots or water waste. Calgary’s dry climate often requires careful water management. Watering practices are adjusted based on rainfall, soil conditions, and turf response.
Does lawn fertilization help long term lawn health?
Fertilization can support nutrient balance and improve turf resilience when applied appropriately. In Calgary, timing and product selection influence effectiveness and turf stress. Fertilization plans are based on lawn condition and soil needs.
How does aeration benefit a lawn?
Aeration helps relieve soil compaction and improves water and nutrient penetration to the root zone. Calgary’s heavy soils often benefit from improved soil airflow. Aeration timing and frequency depend on lawn condition and usage.
What causes lawn damage after winter in Calgary?
Winter damage can result from freeze thaw cycles, snow mold, ice buildup, and moisture trapped under snow. Calgary’s variable winter conditions increase these risks. Spring assessment helps determine recovery needs.
Can lawn maintenance improve drought tolerance?
Consistent maintenance practices such as proper mowing, watering, and soil care can improve a lawn’s ability to handle dry periods. Calgary lawns benefit from practices that encourage deeper root systems. Results depend on turf type and site conditions.
When should lawn maintenance issues be professionally assessed?
Professional assessment is helpful when lawns show persistent stress, uneven growth, drainage problems, or recurring damage. In Calgary, soil conditions and weather can mask underlying issues. Evaluation helps identify the most effective solution.