Top Landscaping Tips to Beat the Summer Heat

Know the signs of plant dehydration, landscaping precautions and how to water properly can make all the difference during the intense summer heat.

You know the drill. You spend the glorious months of springtime digging, planting and admiring your outdoor landscaping creations, only to see them suffer in the brutal heat of summer. We’ve got some good news: it doesn’t have to be that way.

We know it can be challenging to maintain your yard and flower beds as the temperatures rise. But if you take certain precautions, it’s possible to keep your landscape and lawn looking nice and fresh over the next few months. We’re here to help.

Signs of Dehydration

It’s pretty simple: when your soil becomes hard and dry, most forms of plant life won’t grow. Therefore, as the summer takes on its usual hot and humid form, soil dryness will lead to lost plants, flowers and shrubs. Therefore, it’s all about water and taking precautions. Knowing – and paying attention to – the first signs of dehydration in your plants can save you that landscaping heartache down the road. Here are the things to look for.

Dehydration signs for fruit, trees and plants:

  • Wilting
  • Stunted growth
  • Yellow or yellow-green leaves
  • Thinner tree canopy
  • Gummy textures on tree branches, twigs or trunks
  • Cracks in wood and bark (more than normal)
  • Twigs or stems begin to die from the top and outer parts of the plant
  • Fruit falling prematurely

Leaf dehydration signs are when they:

  • Are smaller than normal
  • Being to curl up
  • Are misshapen
  • Turn brown from the outside in
  • Are dull (instead of shiny)
  • Turn blue-green, yellowish or brown (depending on the type of plant)
  • Don’t detach from the branches

Your flowers might be dehydrated if:

  • They do not open fully
  • More weeds appear than normal
  • They decrease in growth

Lawn dehydration signs include:

  • Brown spots
  • Shorter than normal
  • Thinning patches

How to Water the Right Way

If you haven’t already, implement a regular watering schedule as soon as you notice that your lawn or garden is suffering from dehydration. Start by knowing your community’s water restrictions. Follow any suggested or enforced watering days and times, and be aware of and respect any of your city’s water-shortage guidelines.

In addition, remember to water first thing in the morning or as the sun is setting. Here are additional watering rules-of-thumb:

  • Lawns need about an inch of water each week.
  • For plants, water once a week applying about one gallon of water for each square foot.
  • To ensure the roots are getting soaked, apply water around the base of your flowers, herbs or vegetables.
  • If you can see footprints across your lawn for an extended time, water more often.
  • If a handful of your soil holds together when you grasp it, it’s properly hydrated.
  • Aerate your lawn once a year.
  • Avoid watering at night to avoid mites.
  • Keep up on weed removal, as they steal nutrients and water from your plants.
  • Mulch regularly to prevent weeds.

Let Us Help

Creating a beautiful landscape and keeping it healthy is our specialty. Whether it’s starting from scratch, or maintaining a lawn and existing gardens, we can make sure you’re able to enjoy your outdoor living space for months to come. Give us a call and let us come take care of everything.