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Originally Posted On: https://patcalabreselandscaping.com/essential-summer-maintenance-tasks-for-your-landscape/

Essential Summer Maintenance Tasks for Your Landscape

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your landscape—as long as it’s getting the attention it needs.

Maintaining your garden and yard during the hot summer months requires specific care to ensure everything remains healthy and beautiful. There’s an ideal time to water the lawn for optimal results, an ideal fertilizer for grass-strengthening, and more.

In this blog post, join Pat Calabrese & Son’s professional landscapers as we explore the essential summer maintenance tasks for your landscape and provide you with a comprehensive guide to keep your outdoor space thriving all season long.

Contact us at (610) 558-1329 if you have any questions.

Watering Wisely

Proper watering is critical for keeping your landscape healthy during the summer. With higher temperatures and increased evaporation rates, your plants and lawn need consistent hydration. The best time to water your garden is early in the morning, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. This allows water to penetrate the soil before the sun’s heat causes excessive evaporation.

Aiming to water deeply and less frequently is essential for encouraging root growth and ensuring your landscape remains resilient during the hot summer months. When you water deeply, the water penetrates the soil, reaching the root zones of plants and grass. This method helps plants develop stronger root systems, which can access moisture from deeper soil layers, making them more drought-tolerant and less dependent on frequent watering.

Understanding Water Needs

Here are a few guidelines for the amount of water you should give your lawn:

• One inch per week: A general guideline for watering your lawn is to provide about one inch of water per week. This amount can be measured using a rain gauge or by placing a small container, such as a tuna can, on your lawn while watering. When the container fills to one inch, you’ll know you’ve applied the right amount.
• Adjusting for conditions: While one inch per week is a good rule of thumb, adjustments may be necessary based on specific conditions. During particularly hot or windy weather, you may need to increase watering slightly to compensate for increased evaporation. Conversely, if there’s been recent rainfall, you can reduce the amount accordingly.

Should You Water Your Lawn in the Evening?

Professionals recommend avoiding watering in the evening. Watering in the evening can lead to fungal growth because the water sits on the plants overnight.

If you’re looking to keep the grass moist, you can use mulch to retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Organic mulches like wood chips, straw, or compost break down over time, adding nutrients to the soil. When applying mulch, make sure that the layer is only 2-3 inches thick, and be careful not to pile it against plant stems or tree trunks.

The Importance of Summertime Lawn Care

Mowing your lawn correctly during the summer is crucial for its health and appearance. A luscious lawn is inviting and a sign of healthy soil—but what makes for a healthy lawn?

The ideal length for grass in the summer is around 3-4 inches. This length helps shade the soil, reducing evaporation and preventing weed growth. Always mow with sharp blades, as dull blades can tear the grass, making it susceptible to diseases. Mow frequently enough to ensure you’re never cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time.

Fertilize Your Lawn

Fertilizing your lawn in the summer provides essential nutrients to support its growth and resilience. Slow-release fertilizers are best because they provide a steady supply of nutrients over time, allowing for fewer fertilizer sessions.

Did you know that applying a slow-release fertilizer can also improve your lawn’s drought tolerance? It’s true! Improved drought tolerance makes for a more resilient lawn during the dryer parts of summer.

Why Weed Control Matters

Weeds can quickly dominate your garden and lawn if left unchecked. They’ll compete with your desired plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight, and they’ll turn the property into an eyesore, too.

One effective method to suppress weed growth is using mulch. Mulch blocks sunlight and prevents weed seeds from germinating in the soil. You’re welcome to also inquire about pre-emergent herbicides in the springtime. Applying these herbicides early can prevent weed seeds from sprouting before summer gets underway.

Benefits of Weed Control

Whether someone’s manually pulling the weeds, applying herbicides, or spreading mulch throughout the lawn, there are countless benefits to any savvy weed control strategy.

These benefits include:

• Reduces competition for nutrients
• Conserves water for desired plants
• Enhances plant growth and health
• Improves landscape appearance
• Prevents weed spread and infestation

Incorporate weed control strategies into your lawn care regimen to keep your landscape looking pristine throughout the summer!

Pruning and Trimming

Pruning and trimming are essential for maintaining the health and shape of your plants, particularly flowering shrubs. Timing is crucial, as flowering shrubs should be pruned after they bloom, typically in early summer.

For most trees, light pruning can be done in mid to late summer to manage any rapid growth or to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches that may have appeared since the last pruning. However, you should avoid heavy pruning during the hottest parts of summer. Pruning at this time can stress the tree and make it more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Guidelines for Summer Tree Pruning and Trimming

• Early summer pruning session: Conduct a primary pruning session once the tree’s initial growth spurt is complete. Focus on shaping the tree and removing any crossing or overcrowded branches.
• Mid to late summer: Perform light pruning as needed to manage rapid growth and to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
• Regular inspections: Regularly inspect your trees throughout the summer for any signs of damage or disease, addressing issues promptly with selective pruning.

Our Landscapers Bring Out the Best in Lawns

With so much to do, you might find it hard to act as your own personal landscaper. Thankfully, Pat Calabrese & Son is always just a phone call away.

By following these essential tasks, we can keep your lawn healthy and beautiful throughout the season. We’ll water wisely, practice expert weed control, and so much more. We’re always available to answer all your lawn and landscape-related questions, too! Call (610) 558-1329 now.