In Calgary, our lawns are not just the scenic stage for our outdoor retreats and our kids’ play zones; they’re also our serene green oases that bridge the bustling urban life with the serenity of nature. As the seasons turn, our lawns endure, asking only for the simple care of regular trimming and sporadic nourishment. Yet, this minimal upkeep is pivotal in warding off lawn disease and ensuring our grassy expanses remain robust and vibrant.
However, as the summer sun bears down, bringing with it the challenge of water restrictions, preserving that lush greenery can become a demanding task. To help your lawn thrive during Calgary’s hot, dry spells, here are some simple yet effective tactics to ensure it remains healthy and full of life.
Six Strategies for Preventing Lawn Disease
1. Nourish Your Lawn to prevent Lawn Disease
A lush lawn is a well-nourished one. To keep your grass robust and resilient, especially through the scorching summer days, regular feeding is crucial.
Select a premium, slow-release fertilizer to nourish your lawn consistently and combat lawn disease. The timing of application is crucial—administer it right before your lawn’s watering schedule or when rainfall is anticipated to ensure maximum nutrient uptake. To achieve even coverage and guard against nutrient overload in specific spots, it’s wise to use a handheld fertilizer spreader.
2. Implement Intelligent Automatic Irrigation
Choosing the right sprinkler system can make a significant difference in the health of your Calgary lawn and the efficiency of your water usage. Look for a sprinkler with an adjustable spray pattern to ensure water is directed only where it’s needed, avoiding non-grassy areas like driveways and walkways.
Opt for a model that emits larger water droplets. These are less likely to be carried off target by the wind, ensuring that your lawn receives the moisture it needs without unnecessary waste.
To boost your watering efficiency and safeguard against lawn disease, think about equipping your outdoor faucet with a mechanical timer. This handy gadget will take charge of halting the water after a predetermined duration, ensuring you don’t overwater. It’s a wise choice that benefits both the planet and your wallet by conserving precious water resources.
3. Embrace Mulch-Mowing
In the sweltering summer heat, one of the wisest lawn care strategies is to adopt mulch-mowing. This technique involves using a specialized mulch-mower that finely chops the grass clippings and disperses them back into the lawn’s thatch layer, which lies just beneath the grass blades and above the soil.
This method acts similarly to mulching in garden beds, offering several benefits:
- Conserves Moisture: It helps retain water in the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering1.
- Temperature Regulation: The mulch layer insulates the soil and grass roots, protecting them from the harsh heat2.
- Natural Fertilization: As the finely cut clippings decompose, they naturally fertilize the lawn, enriching it with nutrients1.
By mulch-mowing, you’re essentially feeding your lawn with each mow, promoting a healthier, greener, and more resilient turf during the challenging summer months.
4. Smart Watering Practices Can Limit Lawn Disease
Watering your lawn in Calgary requires timing that maximizes absorption and minimizes waste. While it might seem intuitive to water in the evening after a hot day, this can actually be less effective and even harmful. The warmth from the day can lead to significant evaporation, and the overnight moisture can foster fungal growth.
The optimal time for watering is in the early morning, before the sun’s intensity increases and the wind accelerates. This allows the water to soak into the soil, reaching the roots without rapid evaporation12. It’s a practice that ensures your lawn receives the hydration it needs to thrive during the summer months.
5. Choose a Higher Mowing Height
In Calgary’s climate, dominated by cool-season grasses, the summer season offers a blend of balmy days and crisp evenings. While it might seem convenient to mow the grass shorter for reduced maintenance, doing so can actually encourage rapid growth cycles and increase the risk of lawn disease. This can ultimately cause harm to your turf, leaving it uneven and patchy.
The better strategy is to let your grass grow a bit taller. This not only conserves energy, preventing the grass from putting all its resources into rapid regrowth, but also shades the soil and roots, shielding them from the daytime heat and maintaining a cooler ground temperature.
For the perfect lawn height, think ‘comfort underfoot’. Strolling barefoot on your lawn should feel soft and pleasant, without the sponginess of overgrown grass. This simple sensory check ensures your lawn is maintained at an optimal height for both its health and your enjoyment.
6. Lawn Aeration for Enhanced Water Absorption
Aerating your lawn is an essential practice for enhancing water uptake and preventing lawn disease, particularly during the arid summer months in Calgary. Employ a garden fork to gently pierce the soil to a depth of a few centimeters and give it a slight wiggle to form channels that allow water to seep deeper. This should be done at intervals of roughly 10cm throughout your lawn. For larger areas, it’s advisable to hire an aerator or corer, streamlining the process and ensuring thorough aeration.
After aerating, it’s beneficial to spread dry, washed river sand over the lawn. This helps maintain the aeration holes, allowing them to stay open and effective for longer periods. This process not only aids in water penetration but also encourages stronger root growth and overall lawn health12.
