You don’t need us to tell you how hot Calgary summers can get. And while we’ll happily enjoy the bright, sunny days along with the rest of Calgary, the unfortunate truth is that Albertan yards and lawns can quickly look parched and brown as the dry heat relentlessly goes on and on. So what can Calgarians do to help keep their own little oasis lush and green despite the heat?

Full Service Residential Lawn Care.

If you love the look of a healthy, dark green grass carpet, but your lawn isn’t cooperating, full service residential lawn care is probably the best option for you. Even for green-thumbs, lawn care in Calgary is tedious work. The lawn must be weeded, fed, watered, and mowed, and most of us are just too busy to give our yard the time it deserves. Our landscaping experts can make all the difference. Our knowledge and experience will ensure that your lawn is the envy of your neighbours no matter how hot it gets.

Feed, Water, Weed, Mow.

If you have a lot of time on your hands, you can also try to take care of your lawn yourself. To begin with, you’ll need to keep it fed. It only takes 6-8 weeks for microbes to break down most fertilizers into nutrients your plants and grass can readily use, so be prepared to refeed your lawn every month and a half or so.

As for watering, the important thing is to water your lawn deeply, so an infrequent, once-a-week watering should be sufficient. Use a rain gauge to ensure you’re soaking your lawn with a least 1 inch of water, and try to water during the early morning. Around 6AM is ideal to prevent the water from evaporating too fast or the droplets acting as a magnifying glass and burning your lawn.

If your lawn isn’t doing as well as you hoped, it may be having difficulties outcompeting the weeds. Dandelions and quack grass are both very hardy and do well in the Calgary climate. You’ll need to give your lawn a leg up if you want it to win the war against these weeds. Some herbicides may help, but you’ll also probably want to do some real weeding.

During the hot days, mow your lawn a little less often and keep your mower on the highest setting.  Longer grass can help to shade the soil, keeping the ground cooler. This self-shading prevents unnecessary water loss and encourages longer, stronger roots.

Reimagine Your Yard.

If continuous residential lawn care doesn’t particularly interest you, then another option is to scrap the grass for a better option. There are many beautiful, native plants that thrive in our hot, dry summers. By working with a Calgary landscaper, you can choose gorgeous shrubs, trees, and flowers to populate your yard instead of a lawn. Or you can use rocks and mulch to add colour and interest without the pain of continuous watering and mowing! Our Calgary landscapers listen carefully to your priorities and help define your ideas to craft a beautiful design that meets your needs and delights the eye.

If you’re not happy with the way your yard looks, you aren’t alone. Many Calgarians are dissatisfied with their lawn. The team at Five Star Landscaping can help! Give us a call today at 403.203.4058.