At Greentree Outdoor Living, we’re usually giving July advice about battling heat and watering wisely—but this summer we seem to be shifting from 30+ Degree weather to 20-25 Degree weather! With cooler temperatures and rainfall as well as some hot days, this summer, your landscape care strategy may need a slight adjustment.
Monitor your yard
With Mother Nature pitching in, your irrigation system might not need to run as frequently. Here are a few tips to adjust your irrigation:
- Check soil moisture before watering. If the soil feels damp 1–2″ down, you can safely skip a cycle.
- Update smart irrigation systems or timers to reflect the current rainfall pattern.
- Avoid watering during wet, cloudy periods to prevent fungal issues.
With that being said, rain is great—until it pools where it shouldn’t.
- Monitor your yard for areas of standing water, especially near foundations or patios.
- Ensure downspouts direct water well away from hardscape features and plant beds.
- If needed, we are always here to help with drainage assessments or adjustments to protect your landscape investment.
Cool, wet weather slows growth but invites fungus if your lawn gets too long or remains damp for days. While the wet weather may make it difficult to keep to a mowing schedule, it’s best to only mow when the lawn is dry to prevent clumping and disease spread, as well as keep mowing height around 3″ to avoid stress and promote root health.
Watch for Fungal Diseases
Excess moisture creates the perfect environment for turf and plant diseases. Be proactive:
- Look for yellow patches, spots, or mildew on leaves and lawn.
- Aerate compacted soils if you’re seeing persistent puddling.
- Treat early with appropriate products or consult a pro for advice.
Protect your Landscaping
Mulch is fantastic at keeping things damp and cool to help out your yard, but too much mulch in one area can hold extra moisture against roots and cause problems down the road. To keep rot and fungus away, it’s best to keep your mulch refreshed, but no deeper than 2” – 3”. You will also want to pull mulch away from trunks and stems to keep them from staying too damp and developing rot.
Heavy rain can cause problems, especially if paired with hail. If there has been heavy rain be sure to overlook patios, retaining walls, and walkways and ensure that nothing has washed away or has been damaged during the storm. Inspect surfaces for pooling, moss buildup, or erosion and make corrections if needed.
You will also want to double-check lighting systems to ensure moisture hasn’t gotten into your system. As the season progresses, adjust timers to reflect earlier or cloudier evenings.
Control Weeds—They Love the Rain
One challenge Edmonton homeowners are seeing this year is how weeds are taking full advantage of the alternating heat and rainfall. When warm sunny days are followed by cooler, wet stretches, weed growth accelerates. This combination creates the perfect environment for both established weeds and new seedlings to spread fast.
How to control them? When the soil is moist from rain, hand-pulling is most effective. Wet roots release more easily, helping you remove weeds fully—roots and all—rather than just snapping off the tops.
In stubborn areas or where hand-pulling isn’t practical, spot treatments with eco-friendly or selective herbicides can control growth without harming surrounding plants. Always apply during dry weather with no rain forecast for at least 24 hours to ensure effectiveness.
Need Expert Help? We’re Ready
Whether it’s assessing drainage, tuning irrigation, or giving your outdoor living space a little TLC during this unpredictable summer, Greentree Outdoor Living has you covered.
Call us at 780‑476‑9273 or book a consultation.
Rain or shine, your landscape deserves to look its best.
Happy July from the Greentree team!