Keeping Your Landscaping Lush Under the Hot Summer Sun

Whether you have a green thumb or not, having a luscious lawn with perfect pops of color can make you the envy of the neighborhood. But as temperatures soar, maintaining your landscape’s luster can become a challenge.

When the heat really cranks up, watering alone will not be enough to keep your plantings looking healthy and spry. So, before the mercury rises too high, learn the following tips and your yard will be where the grass is certainly greener. 

Aerate – Roots need air, water, and nutrients to become the luscious lawn we want. Aerating is the process of poking holes into the soil. This can be done with spiked sandals, slicing aerators, or core and plug aerators.

Fertilize – Nutrients in the soil becomes depleted over time. Following a recommended fertilizer schedule can ensure your lawn has the food it needs. Look for organic, non-chemical fertilizers that won’t damage the surrounding environment through run-off.

Add Color – Your yard is your canvas. While a well-manicured lawn is an attractive starting point, adding mid-summer color with plants and flowers will make your landscape vibrant and alive.

Mow Early – When it is time to mow the lawn, begin early in the morning or wait until the early evening when temperatures are not at their peak.  

Add Mulch – Your plants pull nutrients from the soil. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, adding a layer of organic mulch protects the soil from the heat of the sun while also suppressing the growth of weeds.

Let Lawns Grow – Taller grass blades can tolerate the heat much better than a shortcut. Adjust your mower at least to 3 inches.

Use Soaker Hoses – Traditional sprinklers are great for grass. However, for your flowers and plants, use a soaker hose to apply moisture slowly into the ground. There will be less evaporation and the amount of water applied can be controlled much easier.

Plant Native Species – It may be tempting to use bright and perky plants you’ve never seen before. But these plants likely won’t survive all summer. Instead, sticking to native plants will make sure you will have color all season long while also being being much easier to maintain. 

Bring the Shade – Very few plants do well in direct sun all day. Adding shade trees can protect plants and flowers from daily heat as well as reduce evaporation from the underlying soil.