When Alberta temperatures rise in late June and July, many lawns turn yellow or brown. It’s not your fault—it’s a tough climate! Between heat waves, water restrictions, and unpredictable rainfall, keeping your grass green can be a challenge.
But with the right watering routine, mowing habits, and lawn care products, you can keep your lawn lush and green all summer long. Here’s how.
💧 1. Water Deeply, Not Frequently
Best Practice: Water your lawn 2–3 times a week, deeply enough to soak the top 6 inches of soil.
Why it works:
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Deep watering encourages deep root growth.
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Shallow, daily watering actually weakens your lawn over time.
Time of day: Early morning (before 10 a.m.) is best. Avoid watering in the heat of the day or evening, which can invite disease.
💡 Tip: Place an empty tuna can on your lawn. When it fills up in 20–30 minutes, you’ve watered enough.
🌱 2. Raise Your Mower Blade
Cut high, not short. Keeping your grass around 3 inches tall offers huge benefits:
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Provides natural shade to the roots.
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Helps retain moisture.
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Crowds out weeds.
Mow frequently, but never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade in one mowing.
🧪 3. Feed Smartly and Strategically
Your grass needs nutrients to stay green—especially during heat stress.
Apply fertilizer every 6–8 weeks during the growing season. For best results in dry summers:
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Use a slow-release fertilizer to avoid burning.
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Apply during cooler times of day and water it in.
🌿 Earth Smart Tip: Our team uses liquid applications tailored to Alberta’s soil, or we can recommend humic-based products to boost drought resistance.
🦠 4. Watch for Drought Stress & Signs of Trouble
Not sure if your grass is dry or just dormant?
Look for signs like:
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Bluish-gray color
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Footprints or mower tracks that linger
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Curling grass blades
Act quickly with watering and avoid foot traffic on stressed areas.
🌾 5. Improve Soil Health with Moisture-Retaining Products
Healthy soil holds water better. Here’s how to improve yours:
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Aerate once per season to reduce compaction.
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Add humic acid products to help the soil retain water and nutrients.
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Top-dress with compost if you have thinning spots.
🛠️ Earth Smart offers soil conditioning services and product recommendations that help your lawn handle both heat and drought.
✅ Summary: Your Summer Lawn Checklist
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✅ Water deeply, 2–3 times a week in the early morning
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✅ Mow high (3″), and never scalp the grass
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✅ Fertilize every 6–8 weeks using slow-release or liquid formulas
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✅ Watch for drought stress signs and act quickly
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✅ Improve soil with aeration, compost, or humic-based products
💬 Need Help? We’re Local & Ready
Serving Calgary, Red Deer, and surrounding areas, Earth Smart Property Solutions has over 30 years of experience helping Albertans keep their lawns green—no matter how dry it gets.
📍 Request a free quote or ask us about our summer lawn care services. We’re here to help!
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