Eco‑Friendly Lawn Care Tips for Saskatoon Homeowners

Many Saskatoon homeowners want a lush lawn that also respects the environment, and a few smart habits in how you mow, water, and care for the soil can make a noticeable difference in both appearance and impact.

Mow higher and recycle clippings

Cutting grass a bit taller helps it handle heat and dry spells better and makes it harder for weeds to get established because the longer blades shade the soil surface. Local lawn guidelines usually suggest keeping cool‑season turf around 7–10 cm (3–4 inches) and avoiding scalping by never taking off more than about one‑third of the blade in a single mow.

​Instead of bagging, let short clippings drop back into the lawn so they break down and return nutrients—especially nitrogen—back into the soil like a light, natural fertilizer. Saskatchewan waste‑reduction programs report that this “grasscycling” approach can lower the amount of commercial fertilizer needed and reduce the volume of yard waste that has to be hauled away.

Water less often, but more effectively

When lawns are watered deeply and then allowed to dry slightly, roots tend to grow further down into the soil, which helps the grass ride out short periods of heat and drought. Prairie lawn advice typically aims for about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of total water per week—including rain—rather than frequent light sprinkling that keeps roots shallow and can encourage disease.

Tuning irrigation to recent rainfall avoids wasting water and helps limit runoff that can carry nutrients or chemicals into storm drains and waterways. Simple checks with a rain gauge or a small container on the lawn show how much water your system is putting down so you can pause or shorten cycles when the weather has already been wet.

Strengthen the soil beneath the grass

Core aeration opens up compacted ground and punches through thatch, so air, water, and nutrients can move more easily into the root zone instead of staying at the surface. Western Canadian recommendations highlight that aerated lawns often drain better, support more soil life that breaks down thatch, and are less likely to shed fertilizers and other products in heavy rain.

Applying the right type and amount of fertilizer at appropriate times helps thicken the lawn without pushing weak, overly soft growth that easily burns or washes away. Canadian research on turf and grasslands shows that good timing, combined with proper mowing and periodic aeration, improves how efficiently grass uses nutrients and reduces losses to leaching or runoff.