5 Steps For Spring Irrigation Maintenance in Calgary

Heading into spring, Calgary exists in long winters and because of that, it’s the perfect time to get your irrigation system prepped for the growing season. When it comes to Calgary’s clay soil and the grasses that are popular in our city—Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Rye, and Creeping Red Fescue—you need efficient irrigation to keep your landscape lush. Here’s how you can get your system ready for the season ahead:

Table of Contents

Understanding Calgary’s Unique Challenges

• Clay Soil Retention: Calgary clay soil has a long retention time for water, but drains slowly. This makes over watering a risk simply because the soil can become waterlogged so easily leading to root rot.¹
• Spring Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Irigation components can be damaged if Calgary’s unpredictable spring weather suddenly changes from warm, afternoon sunshine to below freezing nights.²

Step 1: Inspect Your System After Winter

Winter can take a toll on irrigation systems. Begin by:

• Checking for Damage: Inspect pipes, sprinkler heads, and valves for cracks caused by freezing temperatures.
• Backflow Preventer Check: Ensure the backflow preventer is intact and operational to protect your drinking water from contamination.
• Manifold Inspection: Look for leaks or debris in valve boxes that might have built up over winter.

Step 2: Adjust Watering Schedules for Spring

As Calgary’s spring weather warms up, grass and plants need moderate watering.

• Deep and Infrequent Watering: For clay soil, water deeply but less often to encourage strong root growth without oversaturating the soil.
• Early Morning Watering: Run irrigation systems in the early morning to minimize evaporation and allow the soil to absorb water effectively.

Step 3: Test and Tune Your Sprinkler Heads

Properly aligned sprinkler heads are essential for efficient watering.³

• Inspect Coverage: Ensure sprinklers are covering all areas without watering sidewalks or driveways.
• Clean Clogs: Remove dirt and debris from emitters and sprinkler heads to avoid uneven watering.
• Repair Misalignments: Check and replace those sprinkler heads that may have moved from their positions as a result of winter season to ensure they do not waste water.

Step 4: Prepare for Calgary’s Grass Types

The most common grass varieties in Calgary require tailored care:

• Kentucky Bluegrass: Thrives with consistent but moderate watering. Avoid overwatering, as it is prone to thatch buildup.⁴
• Perennial Rye Grass: Grows quickly and requires a balanced watering schedule to prevent overgrowth and disease.
• Creeping Red Fescue: Prefers drier conditions, so scale back watering once established.⁵

Step 5: Monitor Weather and Soil Conditions

With Calgary’s variable spring weather, staying adaptable is crucial.

• Use a Soil Probe: Check soil moisture with a long screwdriver or probe to ensure water is reaching root zones without oversaturating.
• Be Weather-Aware: Calgary can experience spring snowstorms or heatwaves. Pause your irrigation system during rainy or snowy periods.

Spring into Action

These steps are followed by Calgary homeowners, renters, and commercial property managers to save water and enjoy healthy landscapes through the spring and summer.

Routine maintenance keeps your irrigation ready to deal with Calgary’s particular problems to help you have lush, green lawns and thriving plants. It’s time to get started setting up your landscape for success now!

Citations

1. Clark, C. A. (n.d.). The important role of soil texture on water. Crops and Soils. https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu. ↩︎
2. Lyndon Kelley, Michigan State University Extension. (2013, November 15). Protecting irrigation equipment from winter damage. MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu ↩︎
3. Wallace, G. (2024, August 15). 3 Simple ways to adjust sprinkler heads – WikiHow. wikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com ↩︎
4. Colorado State University Extension. (2022, June 21). Watering established lawns – 7.199 – extension. Extension. https://extension.colostate.edu. ↩︎
5. Patton, A., Purdue University, Braun, R., & Purdue University. (n.d.). FINE FESCUES Maintenance Calendar for fine fescue lawns. In TURF-13-W [Report]. https://www.extension.purdue.edu ↩︎