Lawn & Seasonal Care
A Canadian lawn responds to a few well-timed habits more than to constant effort: cut at the right height, repair in late summer, and follow the season.
Mowing height matters more than frequency
Across most Canadian regions, keeping the lawn in the 6–9 cm range shades the soil, protects roots, and helps retain moisture through warm spells. Cutting much shorter exposes roots and encourages stress and weeds.
Repair in late summer
The most effective lawn repair window in much of the country runs from late August to mid-September. Core aeration relieves compaction, and overseeding thin spots in that window gives new grass time to establish before the season closes. Many regions then apply a winterizer fertiliser in October, before the first hard freeze.
Late-summer repair sequence
- Core aerate to relieve compaction.
- Overseed thin and worn areas.
- Keep new seed consistently moist while it germinates.
- Apply a fall/winterizer feeding before the first hard freeze.
A season-by-season cycle
Spring
Clear winter debris, assess drainage after melt, and start early feeding once growth resumes.
Summer
Mow at 6–9 cm, water deeply but less often, and refresh mulch on beds to hold moisture.
Fall
Manage fallen leaves, aerate and overseed early in the season, and water before freeze-up.
Winter
Protect against drying wind and salt spray with breathable wrapping and windbreaks where needed.
Guard against winter damage
Late-season fall watering, wind protection, and barriers where salt spray is common all reduce winter drying. Leaving long, matted grass and trapped moisture under snow can encourage snow mould, so clearing leaves and a final appropriate mow help. Breathable wrapping and windbreaks protect vulnerable shrubs from drying winds.
Sources
Last updated: May 28, 2026