Why Is My Fort McMurray Lawn Full of Weeds? 7 Common Causes and Fixes

Quick Answer: Why Do I Have So Many Weeds?

Most weedy lawns in Fort McMurray share a few issues:

1. Mowing too short
2. Thin or bare spots
3. Compacted soil
4. Poor watering habits
5. Lack of fertilizing
6. Neglected overseeding
7. Sometimes, no weed control at all

Fix the conditions and you’ll see fewer weeds over time.

Cause 1: Mowing Too Short

Short mowing:

• Stresses grass
• Exposes soil to sun, helping weed seeds germinate

Fix: Mow at 2.5–3 inches so grass shades the soil and outcompetes many weeds.

Cause 2: Thin or Bare Spots

Weeds love open soil.

Fix:

• Overseed thin areas
• Topdress lightly if needed
• Keep new seed moist until established

Cause 3: Compacted Soil

Compacted soil:

• Weakens grass roots
• Favours tough, deep‑rooted weeds like dandelions and thistle

Fix:

• Core aeration to relieve compaction
• Address high‑traffic areas (pets, paths, etc.)

Cause 4: Poor Watering Habits

Shallow, frequent watering:

• Encourages shallow roots
• Favors weeds that can handle stress better than grass

Fix:

• Water deeply and less often
• Aim for about 1 inch of water per week in dry periods

Cause 5: Not Fertilizing

Under‑fed grass:

• Thins out
• Loses colour and density
• Leaves space for weeds

Fix:

• Use a balanced fertilizer at recommended times
• Avoid extremes (too much or too little)

Cause 6: No Overseeding

Older lawns:

• Get patchy
• Lose vigour without new grass plants

Fix:

• Overseed regularly (often paired with aeration)
• Choose cool‑season grass mixes suited to Fort McMurray

Cause 7: No Weed Control

In some cases, the lawn is fine but:

• Dandelions, thistle, and others are never pulled or treated
• Seeds from nearby areas constantly land in your yard

Fix:

• Regular hand‑pulling or spot spraying
• Combine with the other fixes above for long‑term success

Weed Problem FAQs

Q: If I only spray weeds and do nothing else, will my lawn improve?
A: It may look better short‑term, but without improving mowing, watering, and thickness, new weeds will keep moving in.

Q: How long does it take to turn a weedy lawn around?
A: Expect at least one full growing season of consistent care; heavily infested lawns may take multiple seasons.