As hot weather persists, know the do’s and don’ts of lawn and landscape maintenance

This paid piece is sponsored by Landscape Garden Centers.

When temperatures climb, your trees, plants and shrubs can start to suffer.

But with the right expert advice, your yard will stay vibrant and healthy through the summer months and beyond.

“Any tree or shrub can be susceptible to heat stress, especially during the heat of the summer, but there are things you can do from a maintenance standpoint to ensure a healthy landscape,” said Ryan Higgason, general manager at Landscape Garden Centers.

We sat down with Higgason to learn more about the do’s and don’ts of summer tree and shrub care.

Do: Make sure you’re using a quality mulch

Simply put, mulch conserves moisture for trees and shrubs – if you’re using the right kind.

“Mulch helps trees and shrubs retain moisture, and as mulch breaks down, it can provide some organic material, which is also beneficial to the soil and the trees,” Higgason said.

“It’s great for all trees and plant material because not only does it help hold moisture in the soil but it also acts as a weed suppressant.”

Don’t: Use mulch that adds little value

Mulch isn’t the sort of thing to skimp on in your landscape, Higgason said.

“Sometimes you’ll see bags of mulch sold that are basically bark, and that has little value other than aesthetics,” he said.

“When you grab mulch, there should be some organic material in your hand – dirt, residue from the wood pulp itself – and you want it to be triple-ground and decomposed somewhat.”

Landscape Garden Centers offers mulch in multiple shades of color from a provider who uses those best practices.

“You won’t get big chunks of wood in this product. It’s put into piles where it starts to somewhat break down and is turned several times before we ever get it,” Higgason said.

Do: Water early and enough

The best time to water is in the morning when air temperatures are cooler and the sun is lower in the sky, Higgason said. And make sure you’re watering enough.

“Really provide a good, thorough soak,” he said. “Give the plants a good drink, and always check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger in the soil before you drag out your garden hose or turn on the sprinkler. If the soil feels damp 2 to 3 inches down into the soil, it’s good.”

For trees, especially if they’re new, use a watering can or hose for a full minute, he said.

“Depending on your soil, we want your trees to be getting about 5 gallons of water, spread throughout the week,” he said. “You also can fill a bag that zips around the base of the tree and has a hole in it that you can fill up with water, which will slowly water for you so you’re not standing out there doing it yourself. These are very popular and available to purchase in our garden center.”

Don’t: Overdo it on the rocks

Rocks can be an appealing part of landscaping, but they also can be harmful to your trees and plants in the summer.

“We sometimes see people with rocks pushed up against the base of a tree or the plant, and that can harm them,” Higgason said. “The rock heats up and bakes tender leaves and stems. Make sure to pull the rock back, and add a healthy ring of mulch around the base of the plant.”

Do: Be mindful of weeds

The first step to tackling weeds is to stop them before they have a chance to start.

“You can use a pre-emergent to provide a barrier and prevent things like crabgrass from germinating,” Higgason said. “But it does dissipate with rain, sprinklers and time, so make sure you reapply three or four times each season.”

Don’t: Trim or fertilize when it’s too warm

Regularly trimming trees and shrubs is an important part of plant health, but don’t do it when it’s too warm out, Higgason cautioned.

“Typically, we don’t want to trim during stressful times of the year, like July and August, when we can cause undue stress to the tree,” he said. “And sometimes, that leaf is providing heat relief to the tree, so we’d rather wait until September or when the weather is cooler. Also, any cut is going to encourage new growth, which again causes additional stress during a stressful season.”

Same with fertilizing: It’s not the best practice when it’s hot out.

“The plant is stressed anyway, so don’t be so concerned about fertilizing trees and shrubs and perennials through July and August when it’s hot,” he said.

Do: Consider hiring the experts

Landscape Garden Centers offers maintenance teams that will come to your home or business from May through September with a variety of services.

“They’ll go through landscape beds, trim plant material as needed, do disease diagnosis, spray and pull weeds and just keep the plant material looking tidy and nice,” Higgason said.

To learn more about property maintenance services, click here. 

Don’t: Stop watering too soon

Just because summer starts winding down doesn’t mean your watering habits should go with it, Higgason said.

“I see people missing this in the fall,” he said. “It gets cooler, but you still have to water plants up to the first hard freeze, especially during a dry, warm fall. Most people stop too soon, but plants need that water to get through the winter months.”

Want more expert advice to keep your lawn and landscape looking its best? Stop into Landscape Garden Centers or click here to learn more.