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 Adjust landscape care based on the weather
conditions, each plant’s tolerance level and your gardening goals.
Enlist these low maintenance, eco-friendly strategies to help keep
your landscape looking its best throughout the summer months.
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.
Avoid light, frequent watering that encourages shallow roots.
Shallow roots are less able to tolerate drought and more susceptible
to disease and insect problems.
Water early in the day when possible to minimize water lost to
evaporation. Avoid late evening watering that leaves foliage wet
going into the night. This can increase the risk of disease.
Spread a two- to three-inch layer of shredded leaves, evergreen
needles, or shredded bark mulch over the soil in garden beds and
around trees and shrubs. Mulching will conserve moisture, keep roots
cool and moist, and suppress weeds. As the organic mulch decomposes,
it adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil. All these benefits
stem from one maintenance task.
Mow lawns high and often, removing no more than one third the total
height of the grass. Taller grass produces deeper roots, making the
lawn more drought tolerant and more resistant to insects, disease,
and other environmental stresses.
Leave the grass clippings on the lawn. They add nitrogen, organic
matter, and moisture to the soil. One season of clippings is equal
to one fertilizer application. Every time you mow you are improving
the soil and fertilizing the lawn.
Sharpen your mower blades to save time by boosting efficiency. And
speaking of savings, your mower will consume 22% less fuel and your
lawn will use up to 30% less water when your mower blades are sharp.
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Use a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer if your
lawn and garden plants need a nutrient boost. These types of
fertilizers release small amounts of nutrients over an extended
period of time. The low level of nitrogen reduces the risk of
damaging your already heat-stressed plants.
Remove weeds from garden beds and borders as soon as they appear.
These “plants out of place” steal water and nutrients from your
desirable garden plants. Plus, they can harbor insects and diseases
that are harmful to your garden plants. Removing them before they
flower and set seed means you will have hundreds of less weeds to
pull next season.
Provide stressed plants with a bit of shade from the
hot afternoon sun. Containers can be moved to a more suitable spot
during heat waves. Add a bit of temporary shade to garden plants
that are struggling to survive in the blazing hot sun. A
strategically placed chair, lattice or umbrella may be all that is
needed. As temperatures drop, you can move plants back in place and
remove the temporary shade.
Use the shade to your advantage as well. Garden in the shady spots
whenever possible or use a pop-up canopy to provide shade when
needed. Always drink plenty of water, use sunscreen, and work during
the cooler morning and evening hours.
Then take some time to enjoy your handiwork. Look at the progress
that has been made as you sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite
beverage.
Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books,
including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to
Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s
Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and
contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her web site is
www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo credit: Melinda Myers, LLC] |
