We hate to be the first ones to bring up the s-word, but Calgary has consistently been seeing its first snow storm in September the last few years. So while we’re not quite ready to let summer go, we thought we’d share some tips on keeping your lawn healthy and green during late summer.

Adjust Lawn Length.

While we’ve been more fortunate than our neighbours in BC, Alberta has also had a very dry summer. Fire bans and advisories affected nearly all Albertans living in or South of Calgary during July, and to the east, Albertans living as far North as Special Areas No. 2, 3 and 4 were also affected. By keeping your lawn grass a little longer, the grass actually shades the soil and helps to prevent moisture loss.

Water Deeply.

Fire advisories often follow periods of drought which usually come with restrictions on watering. However, if your municipality is allowing you to water even one day a week, you’re in luck. Lawns actually benefit from being watered deeply rather than more frequently. However, parched soil may struggle to absorb water resulting in it rolling off the lawn and into the street. In order to prevent this, breakdown your usual watering schedule into 10 minutes sessions. If you usually water for half an hour, you’ll have 3 watering sessions. If you usually water an hour, you’ll have 6. In between each session, give the lawn 5-20 minutes to soak up all the water. This will result in less water lost to the sewers. Soil aeration also aids with water absorption.

Overseed.

If your lawn is looking a little patchy, anywhere between mid-August and the end of September is the best time for Canadians to seed. Our fall is rarely as dry as the middle of summer, and the falling leaves help provide a layer of insulation from the elements. By winter, a lawn seeded in August should be well established. Before you seed, thoroughly rake your lawn, apply a phosphorus rich fertilizer, then rake again before finally seeding. Once seeded, water the lawn until the top 2.5 cm (1 inch) of soil is evenly moist. Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout and become well established.

In Alberta, summers are short. So while you may not be ready for winter, you still need to make sure your lawn is. Want to work with Calgary’s yard and landscaping experts? We can help ensure your lawn ends the summer healthy, so it’ll be ready for spring next year. Call us today.