Is your grass prepared for the summer heat? You will need to pay attention to your landscape as we move closer to the end of summer. Your lawn and garden may suffer from the sun’s intense heat and rays.
Late summer is a great time to start paying extra attention to your lawn and its components for landscaping purposes. In addition to that, you’ll want to get it ready for the coming winter months.
There are still a few weeks left of summer for your grass, and during those weeks, there are a few landscaping ideas for summer that you should keep in mind.
The following guide will walk you through many landscaping projects you ought to finish before the end of the summer. Keep reading if you want to get started right away!
Tips For Late Summer Landscaping
At the end of the summer, many homeowners and people who own property need to pay more attention to their landscaping.
They believe there is no longer a requirement for routine maintenance, given that the fall and winter seasons are just around the way.
Unfortunately, the final effect is a landscape that has been overstressed, making it more vulnerable to damage caused by the cold and other aspects of the weather. Consider using the following late-summer landscaping suggestions for your yard to prevent this from happening to your garden.
Start Mulching
If you have them in your landscape, you should begin mulching flowerbeds as soon as possible. Putting a layer of new mulch in your flower beds will help them retain more water. In the driest summer months, the mulch will keep moisture in, protecting the plants from dehydration.
Your flower beds can benefit from having a layer of mulch spread over them, as this will help to keep the soil warm throughout the year and prevent the growth of weeds.
Regarding the types of mulch you can utilise, you also have a vast range of choices available. At the same time, looking around for mulch that goes with your garden is worthwhile.
There is no requirement for a substantial amount of mulch. A layer of half an inch thickness will be sufficient for your flower beds, and it will immediately elevate the aesthetic value of your property.
Water Smartly
The primary landscaping challenge of the summer is finding sustainable ways to keep your lawn and plants thriving despite the drought. Put the hose to good use first thing in the morning. Watering grass during the warmest parts of the day wastes time and water since the water evaporates too quickly.
Aim to water your lawn by one inch per week. Learn what your soil needs to thrive. The frequency with which you water your plants depends on the type of soil you have, with plants in clay soil requiring less water than those in sandy soil.
Watering plants in containers as often as twice a day is necessary, much more so than when planted in the ground. To determine the water quantity your hanging plant needs, stick your finger in the soil below the second knuckle. If the dirt is dry, then it requires some water.
Drip irrigation systems are even more efficient than just using the hose properly. These systems allow you to provide precisely the right amount of water for each plant through a series of tubes connected to your water supply so that you may avoid wasting water through evaporation and spend less time tending to your plants.
Mow At A Higher Level
Your lawnmower’s blade should be raised by about an inch if it hasn’t already been. Trimming the grass to a too-short length will likely put stress on your landscape, which will, in turn, contribute to the development of brown and dead spots.
Raising the blade of your riding or push lawnmower by an inch in the fall will shield your grass from stress while promoting healthy growth and development.
Also, now is a good time to make any necessary modifications to the lawnmower’s cutting height. In the late summer, you should elevate the lawnmower’s blade by about an inch.
During this time, cutting too short can adversely affect the grass. Eventually, it can stress your landscaping and leave brown spots in the grass. If you raise the mower blade by an inch in the fall, your grass will grow strong through winter.
Remove Weeds
Weeds may have already begun appearing in your flowerbeds if you still need to apply mulch. Other parts of your landscaping may also be susceptible to weed growth. Start pulling any weeds you find as you get your landscape ready.
During the summer months of the year, weeds tend to emerge. Wind, animals, birds, and lawnmowers are common culprits in spreading weed seeds in flower beds. If you only spread a thin layer of mulch over your flower beds, you may encourage weed growth.
It’s crucial to get ahead of the weeds and get rid of them before they spread. If weeds aren’t eliminated, they’ll likely stay in your landscape for a year.
If you come across any weeds, pull them out by their roots as soon as possible. You can eliminate the weed from your lawn by pulling it up by its roots.
Mowing over the weed or merely trimming its top will not prevent its rapid regrowth. Weeds can also be successfully removed without chemicals by pulling them out by hand. Inspect your lawn at least thrice weekly and remove any weeds you see.
Fertilise Grass
Fertilising your yard in the summer is a great way to prepare it for fall landscaping. Late July is a common time for grass to go dormant. This means that during the fall and winter months, your grass will require more maintenance than usual.
Fertiliser can be used to promote your lawn’s health and boost it just in time for the coming fall and winter. It would be best if you gave some thought to the fertiliser you use on your lawn.
The type of fertiliser that should be used on your lawn depends on several aspects, including the grass’s current state and your geographic area. Talk to the staff at your neighbourhood nursery about what kind of fertiliser would be ideal for your grass.
Check For Fungal Disease
When you are going over your property, keep an eye out for any symptoms of fungal disease. For instance, the appearance of a white powder is frequently an indication that a fungal condition is present. Most common fungal illnesses can be treated, but only if caught early.
Water Often
Heat is expected to be high as the summer draws to a close. You should water your garden more frequently than ever now. Gardens, lawns, flowerbeds, and other outdoor plants should all receive regular watering.
Watering your garden early or late at night will yield the finest results. Several factors contribute to this result. Your landscape will have more time to soak up the water in the morning before the sun reaches it and evaporates it.
If you water your landscape in the afternoon, the sun will evaporate most of the water before it reaches the soil. If you water your landscape at night, the extra water may pool there for a while, providing a breeding ground for harmful germs and mould.
Keep An Eye Out For Warning Signs Of Trouble.
During the warm summer months, your plants are at a greater risk of being attacked by unwanted insects and diseases, and the plants themselves are the only ones who will alert you to the issue sooner.
Be on the lookout for symptoms such as wilting, browning, blotching, or spotted leaves; leaf edges that are brown and brittle; rotten fruit; fuzzy growth; dying branch ends; brown patches; holes; or any other symptoms of this nature. If you cannot determine the cause of the problem, you should contact a local landscaping professional.
Controlling Unwanted Pests And Growing Beneficial Species
Organic pesticides and preventative gardening techniques may help you avoid an infestation this time of year, but you should still be prepared with a full arsenal.
The mucky outdoor air is overflowing with insect and animal life, creating an army of hungry mouths looking to feast on your lovely garden and lawn. Plants that suffer from stress from severe weather are more susceptible to damage that cannot be reversed.
At the same time, you want to prevent harming-and aggressively attract-the species that enhance plant life. The health of your garden depends on pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Plants like milkwood and bee balm and flowers like marigolds provide food and shelter for these helpful insects. Because of their link to colony collapse disorder, neonicotinoids should be avoided.
Insects trying to eat your plants can be eaten by birds and bats, allies in pest control. Bringing in avian companions from far and wide is as easy as planting sunflowers, giving a birdbath or other water supply, and offering a variety of plant heights and densities for cover. A bat house is another option worth considering.
Maintain Consistently
When the weather gets hot, it’s time to take care of several garden chores that are less of a priority. Transplanting plants and flowers and dividing mounding perennials helps prevent suffocation of new growth and is best done in early summer or late spring.
When working with late-blooming perennials, it is important to prune down young shoot growth to promote the formation of healthy roots. Flowering annuals will channel their limited resources without regular deadheading into growing seeds.
To prevent insects from becoming attracted to your garden, you should regularly harvest your vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Keeping up with regular garden maintenance throughout the year is important, so if you find yourself unable to do so because of the heat, consider hiring a local gardener to perform tasks such as weeding, cleaning waste, keeping fence lines clean, neatening plant beds, and digging out unwanted plants.
Prune Overgrown Shrubs And Plants
Last but not least, the late summer months are the best time to prune any plants or shrubs in your yard that have become overgrown. Plants and shrubs have the potential to become unmanageable if their growth is regulated slowly.
This is especially true during the fall season, when temperatures begin to fall, and concerns about heat-related stress are no longer a factor.
Avoiding Common Landscaping Mistakes This Summer
Maintaining a healthy, attractive lawn throughout the summer requires time, effort, and knowledge of the specific needs of your plants.
Whether this is your first time landscaping or you have years of experience in lawn care, some mistakes will negatively impact the visual value of your property and the overall health of your plants.
The following are typical landscaping mistakes that should be avoided this summer to keep your lawn and garden healthy and lush.
Picky, Picky
Picking the correct plants for your yard before it’s safe to start your summer garden is essential. Consider the size of your yard, the quantity of sunlight and moisture it receives, and other factors to determine which plants would thrive in your environment.
You will waste time and energy caring for plants and flowers only suited to the environment after you realise they need to be replaced.
Hedge Neglect
Hedge maintenance is essential for keeping your landscaping looking neat and tidy. Hedge trimming or shearing is an excellent opportunity to inspect the hedges for weeds and disease and keep them looking great.
A non-flowering hedge must trim its branches every six to eight weeks, depending on the type and how quickly it grows. Shrubs with spring flowers should be pruned soon after they bloom, while those with summer flowers should be cut back in late winter or early spring.
Too Much Stuff
Using ornaments and lawn accessories wisely can turn your yard into a colourful, character-filled paradise. The addition of these features can greatly improve the visual appeal of an outdoor area. But the trick is to keep things moderate. While these details are nice, too many might detract from your landscaping’s main attraction.
Find the sweet spot using little ornamentation to highlight your garden’s innate charm. This prevents your yard from cluttering and creates an attractive space that draws the eye without tiring the mind.
Premature Planting
In these unusual and uncertain times, it is normal that you would like to get started as soon as possible on bringing life and colour to your yard. It’s tempting to go out and buy plants on the first nice weekend of the year to get a head start on the gardening season.
On a sunny early spring day, your yard could be the envy of the neighbourhood, but a late frost would send you scrambling to protect your plants from the chill. When there is no longer a risk of frost in your area, you can safely purchase plants to revitalise your garden.
Poor Pruning Habits
A middle ground must be found when deciding how much and how often to prune. When cutting shrubs and smaller trees, follow the same 1/3 rule as when mowing your grass.
When pruning, removing at most a third of the healthy wood is best to avoid damaging the plant or stunting its growth. Only mature shrubs and trees should follow the rule. Only prune newly planted bushes once at least one growing season has passed.
Conclusion
Late summer is a crucial time for homeowners to pay attention to their landscaping, as the sun’s intense heat can cause damage to the lawn and garden. To maintain a healthy landscape, consider the following late-summer landscaping tips:
1. Start mulching flowerbeds as soon as possible to retain more water and prevent weed growth. There are various types of mulch available, and a half-inch thickness is sufficient for flower beds.
2. Water your lawn and plants smartly, aiming for one inch per week. The frequency of watering depends on the soil type, with clay soil requiring less water than sandy soil. Watering plants in containers twice a day is necessary, and drip irrigation systems can be more efficient.
3. Mow at a higher level, raising the blade of your lawnmower by about an inch in the fall to protect the grass from stress and promote healthy growth. Adjusting the lawnmower’s cutting height during late summer will help the grass grow strong through winter.
By following these late-summer landscaping tips, homeowners can ensure their landscape is well-prepared for the coming winter months.
To prepare your landscape for fall, remove weeds, fertilize your lawn, and check for fungal disease. Weeds can emerge during the summer months due to wind, animals, birds, and lawnmowers.
Remove weeds by their roots as soon as possible, and inspect your lawn at least three times weekly. Fertilize your yard in the summer to prepare for fall landscaping, as grass tends to go dormant during late July. Choose the right fertilizer based on the grass’s state and your geographic area.
Check for fungal disease symptoms, such as white powder, and water your garden more frequently. Water early or late at night to ensure the soil soaks up the water before it evaporates.
Keep an eye out for warning signs of trouble, such as wilting, browning, blotching, or spotted leaves, brown and brittle leaf edges, rotten fruit, fuzzy growth, dying branch ends, brown patches, and holes.
Control unwanted pests and grow beneficial species by attracting pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Plants like milkwood, bee balm, and marigolds provide food and shelter for these helpful insects, but neonicotinoids should be avoided due to their link to colony collapse disorder.
Birds and bats can also help control pests by providing food and shelter, and offering avian companions like sunflowers, birdbaths, and bat houses.
During hot weather, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy garden by regularly transplanting plants and flowers, dividing mounding perennials, pruning young shoot growth, and harvesting vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
Hiring a local gardener for tasks like weeding, cleaning waste, and tidying up fence lines is essential. Overgrown shrubs and plants should be pruned in late summer to prevent unmanageability.
To maintain a healthy lawn, avoid common landscaping mistakes such as picking the right plants based on the size of the yard, sunlight, and moisture. Hedge maintenance is essential for maintaining a neat and tidy landscape. Trim hedges every six to eight weeks, and prune shrubs with spring flowers soon after they bloom.
Use ornaments and lawn accessories wisely but keep them moderate to highlight the garden’s charm. Avoid premature planting and follow a middle ground when deciding how much and how often to prune.
Only prune mature shrubs and trees and prune newly planted bushes once at least one growing season has passed. By following these guidelines, you can maintain a healthy and attractive garden throughout the summer.
Content Summary
- As summer nears its end, it’s crucial to focus on late summer landscaping to prepare for the coming winter.
- Paying attention to your lawn and garden is essential as they may suffer from the intense heat and rays of the sun.
- Late summer is an ideal time to start landscaping projects and get your yard ready for the colder months ahead.
- The following guide provides tips for late summer landscaping to prevent landscape stress and damage during fall and winter.
- Starting with mulching flower beds is a key step to retain moisture and protect plants from dehydration in dry summer months.
- Choosing the right type of mulch for your garden enhances its aesthetic value with just a half-inch layer.
- Watering your lawn smartly, preferably in the morning, is crucial to combat summer drought and promote plant health.
- Aim for one inch of water per week and adjust watering frequency based on soil type, with clay soils needing less than sandy ones.
- Drip irrigation systems are more efficient, providing precise water amounts to each plant and reducing water wastage.
- Raising your lawnmower’s blade by an inch in late summer prevents stress on the grass, promoting healthy growth.
- Removing weeds promptly is essential, as thin layers of mulch can encourage weed growth in flower beds.
- Weeds should be pulled by their roots to prevent rapid regrowth, ensuring a weed-free landscape.
- Fertilizing your yard in late summer prepares it for fall, and choosing the right fertilizer depends on grass type and location.
- Checking for signs of fungal disease is important during late summer, allowing early treatment to prevent further damage.
- Watering your garden more frequently as summer ends helps combat high temperatures and keeps plants thriving.
- Early or late-night watering is recommended to maximize absorption and avoid water evaporation during the day.
- Be vigilant for warning signs of trouble in your plants, such as wilting, browning, or spotted leaves, and take action promptly.
- Using organic pesticides and attracting beneficial species like birds and bats helps control unwanted pests in your garden.
- Maintaining consistent garden care, including transplanting and pruning, prevents suffocation of new growth.
- Regular harvest of vegetables, fruits, and herbs helps prevent insect attraction to your garden during summer.
- Late summer is the ideal time to prune overgrown shrubs and plants, ensuring manageable growth.
- Avoiding common landscaping mistakes, such as poor plant selection and neglecting hedge maintenance, is crucial for a healthy lawn.
- Hedge trimming or shearing is an excellent opportunity to inspect for weeds and diseases, keeping the landscape tidy.
- Using lawn ornaments moderately enhances visual appeal without cluttering the landscape.
- Premature planting should be avoided to prevent damage from late frosts, ensuring a successful gardening season.
- Finding a middle ground in pruning habits, following the 1/3 rule, helps maintain plant health without stunting growth.
- Regular garden maintenance is essential, and hiring a local gardener for tasks like weeding and cleaning can be beneficial during the heat.
- Late summer is a critical time for late-blooming perennials, and pruning young shoot growth promotes healthy root formation.
- Flowering annuals benefit from regular deadheading to channel resources into new growth rather than seed production.
- Regularly inspecting your garden for symptoms of fungal disease allows for early treatment and prevention of further spread.
- Avoiding neonicotinoids is recommended for the health of pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
- Birds and bats can act as allies in pest control, and attracting them to your garden is as simple as planting sunflowers.
- Creating a birdbath and offering a variety of plant heights and densities provides cover for birds and promotes pest control.
- Checking for brown patches, holes, and other warning signs helps identify potential issues in your garden.
- Ensuring proper watering, especially during the warmest parts of the day, is essential for plant health.
- Late July is an ideal time for fertilizing your lawn to promote health and prepare for the fall and winter months.
- Consulting with local nursery staff helps determine the best fertiliser for your lawn based on grass type and location.
- A layer of half an inch of mulch in flower beds elevates the aesthetic value of your property and retains moisture.
- Watering plants in containers, such as hanging plants, may require twice-daily attention to prevent dehydration.
- Mulching flower beds helps keep the soil warm, preventing the growth of weeds and enhancing overall plant health.
- Watering your lawn by one inch per week, based on soil needs, helps combat drought and keeps plants thriving.
- Drip irrigation systems provide efficient water delivery, reducing water wastage and saving time in plant care.
- Raising the lawnmower blade by an inch in late summer prevents stress on grass and promotes healthy growth.
- Removing weeds promptly by pulling them out by the roots ensures a weed-free landscape.
- Fertilizing your yard in late summer with the right fertiliser prepares it for fall and winter maintenance.
- Checking for signs of fungal disease during property inspection helps catch and treat issues early.
- Watering your garden more frequently during late summer helps combat rising temperatures and keeps plants healthy.
- Regularly harvesting vegetables, fruits, and herbs prevents insect attraction and maintains garden health.
- Late summer is an ideal time for pruning overgrown shrubs and plants to manage growth.
- Avoiding common landscaping mistakes, such as poor plant selection and neglecting hedge maintenance, ensures a healthy and lush lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is Late Summer Landscaping Important?
Late summer landscaping is crucial as it sets the stage for the transition into fall. Proper maintenance during this period ensures the health and vitality of your plants, promoting their resilience against changing weather conditions.
How Often Should I Water My Plants In Late Summer?
As the late summer sun beats down, it is highly recommended to implement a watering regimen characterised by depth and infrequency. This approach, involving substantial watering sessions, stimulates robust root development, fortifying plants against the relentless heat.
Vigilance in monitoring soil moisture becomes paramount during this period, allowing for a nuanced adjustment of watering frequency in response to the distinct requirements of individual plants.
How Can I Enhance The Aesthetics Of My Late Summer Landscape?
Incorporate thoughtful hardscaping elements such as pathways, decorative stones, and seating areas. Choose flowering plants that thrive in late summer, adding vibrant colours to your landscape.
Are Native Plants A Good Choice For Late Summer Landscaping?
Native plants are often well-adapted to the local climate and can thrive with minimal intervention. Including them in your late summer landscape promotes sustainability and reduces the need for extensive maintenance.
How Can I Protect My Garden From Pests In Late Summer?
Late summer is notorious for increased pest activity. Employ natural pest control methods such as introducing beneficial insects, regularly inspecting plants for signs of infestation, and promptly addressing any issues to prevent widespread damage.
