Vancouver's climate is unique for the Pacific Northwest. Living under the protection of the Rocky Mountains and dipping our toes into the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver boasts Canada's mildest winters, and some of the wettest, foggiest conditions in the country. While it may seem like the rain will never end, that rain is doing some of your lawn care for you.

We've got a genuine change of seasons here in the Lower Mainland, which is unusual for the rest of Canada. For anyone invested in exceptional lawn care in Vancouver, this presents specific challenges.

Begin your lawn care in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland area in late February. Start by raking up all of the debris that may have accumulated over the winter and stand up the grass that may be laying down. Removing any of this growth will prepare your lawn for healthy and strong growth throughout the upcoming season. Make sure that your lawn mower blades are sharp before cutting your lawn. Finally aerating your lawn improves its ability to absorb water and nutrients.

The high rainfall seen in the winter months can raise the PH levels in the soil, which affects your lawn care activities in Vancouver. Counter this by spreading lime over your entire lawn. Lime will also help to keep moss at bay and keep your grass healthy if used on a regular basis.

The summer months offer days of abundant sunshine and longer days; this means that watering, mowing and fertilizing are of utmost importance. You should water your lawn two to three times a week. For fertilization, you should apply a premium "slow-release" fertilizer product to your lawn every 6 to 8 weeks.

Keep your lawn trimmed (once a week is usually good) and ensure that you are cutting it to the right height for the kind of grass you've got. A lawn care professional will be able to help you determine the best length for your lawn.

The late summer and fall is the time to start getting ready for the winter and prepare your lawn to come back in the spring. Preparation now will counteract the change in PH balance caused by the rainfall over the winter.

Before the end of September , make a point of checking your lawn's compaction and growth to see if you need to aerate again. Make sure to fertilize and lime your lawn, and if you are looking for new growth in the Spring, consider over seeding as well. There's usually a lovely Indian Summer and a mild Fall season, so this deadline might be moved to the end of October, but make sure you take care of your lawn before it gets too cold.

One other thing to keep in mind for lawn care in Vancouver's Fall season are the leaves - they end up everywhere, and will need to be raked on a regular basis to keep your lawn looking healthy and fresh in the Spring.

If all of this seems daunting, talking to or hiring a lawn care professional in Vancouver can guarantee your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood.