Well it’s August. Summer is halfway over, soon the kids will be heading back to school again, and if your TLC has kept your lawn looking green and healthy all through July, then you deserve a small round of applause. Calgary’s climate is not kind to grass, and we understand better than most the dedication and time it takes to keep lawns looking great all summer long. But our expert landscapers have more tricks up their sleeves than just keeping grass green. Here’s how to have a beautiful lawn, and save water.

Water Less Often.

We understand the fear of under-watering, but it’s just not necessary to water your lawn every day. Two or three times a week can easily provide your grass with all the water it needs. In fact, you may find your lawn is even greener and happier with fewer waterings — I’ll explain why. When you water for a short length of time every day, all the water sits in the first couple millimeters of soil. This means your grass needs to put out many weak, little surface roots to soak up water as fast as possible. When you water deeply for a longer period of time (at least 30-45 minutes) less often, your grass will be encouraged to grow longer, stronger roots. The water sinks deeper into the soil, and the sun can’t evaporate all the moisture in just an hour or two.

Choose Your Watering Time Wisely.

Many Calgarians ask us when the best time to water their lawn is. It’s one of our favourite questions because, unlike so many other things in life, there’s an easy answer. Between 6 and 10 AM. If that’s not possible, between 4 and 7 PM is your next best window. Any time in between these recommended times is going to be too hot. You’ll lose more water to heat and evaporation than your grass gets. Watering at night is also a no-go. The grass stays too damp too long, and that invites fungus and disease.

That’s all there is to it. Water only a couple times a week for 30-45 minutes during the morning or evening. If you follow these tips, your grass should look great, and you’ll feel confident that you aren’t be wasting water. Of course, keep an eye on your particular lawn. If it’s getting decent shade, it might not need quite that much water. If it’s getting lots of sun, it may want a bit more.

Need help keeping your lawn looking its best? The expert landscapers at Five-Star are here to help! Contact us anytime, and we’ll be happy to help you create a summer, home oasis.