Summer in Alberta is beautiful—but it can be tough on your lawn. Hot temperatures, inconsistent rainfall, and active use all lead to some common lawn issues. At Earth Smart Property Solutions, we’ve seen it all. Here’s a list of the most frequent summer lawn problems we encounter in Calgary, Red Deer, and nearby communities—and how you can tackle them.
☀️ 1. Drought Stress / Yellowing Grass
Symptoms: Grass turns pale green or yellow, feels dry or crispy.
Causes: High temperatures, lack of rainfall, shallow root growth.
Fix:
- Water deeply (1 inch/week) in the early morning. Learn more about watering in our blog, “Lawn Watering Guidelines: Tips & Signs of Over & Underwatering.”
- Raise mowing height to 3+ inches to shade the soil.
- Apply a slow-release fertilizer to support recovery.
- Consider products like humics to improve soil water retention. Our sister company, Earth Smart Solutions offers a variety of humic products to help improve your soil. Learn more here.
🌱 2. Weed Takeover
Symptoms: Dandelions, clover, or creeping charlie spreading fast.
Causes: Thin lawn cover or untreated weeds in early spring.
Fix:
- Apply selective herbicide when weeds are actively growing.
- Mow regularly and don’t let weeds go to seed.
- Maintain a thick lawn with consistent feeding.
- Our weed control services target broadleaf weeds effectively. Learn more about these services here.
🍄 3. Lawn Fungus & Disease
Symptoms: Circular brown spots, patches that don’t respond to watering. Learn more about common lawn diseases in this blog, “5 Lawn Diseases to Watch Out For“.
Causes: Humidity, overwatering, poor air circulation.
Fix:
- Water early in the day and avoid frequent shallow watering.
- Improve drainage and avoid over-fertilizing.
- For persistent lawn disease, professional assessment is best.
🐾 4. Dog Spots (Burn Patches)
Symptoms: Yellow or brown patches surrounded by green halos. Learn more about brown patches in this blog, “Do You Have Brown Patches or Tracks on Your Lawn“.
Causes: Nitrogen burn from pet urine.
Fix:
- Dilute the area with water immediately after your dog goes.
- Reseed with salt-tolerant grass varieties.
- Train pets to use a designated area if possible.
🌾 5. Thinning Grass / Bare Patches
Symptoms: Sparse growth or dirt patches in high-traffic areas.
Causes: Foot traffic, soil compaction, lack of nutrients.
Fix:
- Aerate compacted soil.
- Overseed bare areas and keep moist until established.
- Fertilize to promote healthy root growth.
✅ When to Call in the Experts
If you’ve tried DIY fixes and your lawn still isn’t bouncing back, it might be time to let professionals take a look. Our team at Earth Smart has been helping Calgary and Red Deer homeowners since 1994 with customized fertilizer programs, weed control, and seasonal care.
Need help with your lawn this summer?
Request a free quote or give us a call today. Your lawn deserves it!
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