Seven Tips to Help Your Landscape Beat the Heat This Summer

by Jan Richey | July 23, 2012

The Texas heat is in full swing and Collin and Dallas Counties have already experienced numerous 100-degree days.  While most folks are lounging in the pool or enjoying tea and lemonade indoors, our grass and plants are suffering.  How do you save the beautiful landscaping in which you invested so much time, money, and energy perfecting this past spring?  The writers at ProudGreenHome.com have come up with seven tips to help your landscape beat the summer heat.

1. Water plants thoroughly to promote deep drought- and pest-resistant roots. Wait until the top few inches of soil are crumbly and moist or footprints remain in the lawn before watering again.
2. Avoid light, frequent watering that encourages shallow roots. Shallow roots are less able to tolerate drought and more susceptible to disease and insect problems.
3. Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded leaves, evergreen needles or shredded bark mulch over the soil in garden beds and around trees and shrubs. Mulching conserves moisture, keeps roots cool and moist, and suppresses weeds.
4. Mow lawns high. Taller grass produces deeper roots that are more drought-tolerant.
5. Always mow lawns often enough, so you remove less than one third the total leaf surface. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn. They add nitrogen, organic matter and moisture to the soil.
6. Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer, like Milorganite, to give gardens and lawns a nutrient boost.
7. Remove weeds from garden beds and borders as soon as they appear.

When caring for your landscaping, don’t forget to take care of yourself!  Hydrate, wear sunscreen, and take breaks often!

For more landscaping tips, or to read the entire article, click here.

Photo courtesy of Tony Page/Stone/Getty Images.