Summer is the time for sunshine, but it can be tough on lawns, landscape plants, and trees. High temperatures in summer can leave plants stressed from both heat and lack of water. However, that doesn’t mean your yard can’t look great all year round! With a few simple tweaks to your landscape maintenance tasks, you can keep lawns green, flowers blooming, and shrubs and trees providing cooling shade. Here are a few landscape tips for summer to help keep your yard looking stunning throughout the summer and beyond.
Landscape tips for summer
Water correctly
Summer watering doesn’t mean you need to drain your well or rack up a huge water bill. Overwatering is as bad as underwatering; both can kill your plants. So instead of drenching your landscape with unnecessary water, irrigate the smart way.
- Aim for one inch of water every week for your lawn.
- Water early in the morning to allow plants to absorb moisture before the temperatures rise.
- Water plants deeply to allow water to reach the plants’ roots.
- Know your soil type. Plants in sandy soil need more frequent watering than those in clay soil.
- Instead of using sprinklers, water garden beds and plants with drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses. It’s more efficient because the water reaches the plant’s roots directly and doesn’t evaporate as quickly.
Cover bare soil
Consider covering bare soil with organic mulch. Add a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around plants where you can see bare soil. You can even use it in containers. Just be sure to keep it well away from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent moisture buildup and rot. A layer of mulch is invaluable in combatting summer heat. Organic mulch:
- Slows down evaporation
- Lowers soil temperature
- Suppresses weed growth
- Looks great
Mow the lawn high
Many homeowners mow their lawns too short, making them more susceptible to drought stress and heat damage. Cutting your grass higher reduces stress and helps green the lawn without needing extra fertilizer. Taller grass shades the soil, which keeps vulnerable grassroots cooler, preserves soil moisture, and shades out weeds so there’s less need for herbicides.
Check for pests and disease
Plants love the summer, but unfortunately, so do insects. Walk around your yard regularly and look for signs of insect or disease issues. If you see anything that doesn’t look right, or if you have any questions about your plants’ health, consult experienced horticulturists and arborists. These professionals will be happy to inspect your plants, diagnose the issue, and recommend treatment.
Keep an eye out for weeds
Although weeds are not insects, they can still be considered pests. Not only can they be unsightly, but they can also steal nutrients and moisture from your grass and other plants. If weeds are permitted to grow unabated, they can damage or kill your plants and grass over time. So, keep an eye out for them and remove them as you see them.
Don’t forget to fertilize
Ever wonder how lawns keep that deep, lavish green colour during the summer? It’s because of lawn care products that are high in nitrogen, which promotes that deep colour as well as growth. Make sure that all pets and children are kept off the lawn for a little while after fertilizing the lawn to avoid tracking it inside your home. Fertilize your lawn every few months to ensure your lawn looks great all year.
