Summer Landscaping Tips
Landscaping takes hours of hard work, and when Ohio's intense summer heat kicks in, it can feel like you're watching your efforts wither away. But don’t sweat it! With a few proactive strategies, you can help your yard not only survive—but thrive—during the hottest months. Here are some essential summer landscaping tips from our team:
Raise Your Mower Height
Raising your mower height so that you are only cutting one-third of your grass blades is a simple, but effective way to protect your lawn in the summer. Taller grass shades the soil, holds moisture, and keeps the roots cooler. Additionally, this measure helps crowd out weeds and prevents scalping. Avoid cutting more than a third of the blade at once, and keep your mower blades sharp for clean, healthy cuts.
For more grass tips: Tips for Protecting Your Lawn for the Hot Dry Summer Weather Ahead
Watch for Signs of Stress and Pests
As the summer months rage on, keep an eye out for patches that stay brown even after watering, footprints that don’t bounce back, or areas of discoloration. These could be signs of overwatering, under-watering, grub infestations, or fungal problems. Addressing these issues early can prevent bigger problems later in the season. In some cases, watering less is better, especially when dealing with fungus. Being observant now means fewer headaches later.
Mulch Smarter
Applying a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds helps the soil retain moisture, keeping roots cool during scorching temps, and discourages weed growth. When picking your mulch, shoot for organic materials like shredded bark, wood chips, or pine straw, which will break down over time to improve soil quality. Just be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from the base of plants and tree trunks to prevent rot or pest issues.
Plant Heat-Tolerant Perennials
Choose native or drought-resistant plants like coneflowers, black-eyed susans, salvia, and sedum. These tough perennials tolerate high heat, require less water, and come back year after year with vibrant color and minimal upkeep.
Add Hardscaping
Incorporating elements like stone paths, gravel areas, retaining walls, or decorative pavers can enhance the design of your lawn while also reducing the amount of lawn to maintain. This strategy means less watering, mowing, and stress during dry spells.
Be Cautious with Fertilizer
Fertilizing during extreme heat can cause more harm than good. Applying too much fertilizer in mid-summer can burn your grass or stress it further. It’s often best to hold off until late summer or early fall. If you do fertilize, avoid quick-release formulas high in nitrogen, as they can cause weak growth and heat stress. When using wisely, fertilizer can fill in nutritional gaps and help your grass look greener and healthier.
Final Notes
Even in the heat of summer, there are ways to keep your yard flourishing and when it comes to finding the right tools to get the job done, give us a call.