Landscaping Tips for July

 

July is the month for sizzling barbeques, grilling, and chilling out in your backyard. But while summertime promises endless fun, it also means scorching heat and extremely dry or highly humid weather conditions that can take a toll on the lawn that you have worked so hard to maintain. Caring for your plants should not be forgotten while you hit it off with the summer fun.

Follow these landscaping tips in July so that you have a well-groomed, lush green garden that serves as the perfect backdrop for all outdoor summer activities with your friends and family.

Trim the Grass (but Not Too Much)

Cutting the grass too close to the ground during the hot summer season is likely to destroy it. Cool-season grasses such as Bluegrass, Ryegrass, and Fescue naturally fight the effect of heat and drought when they are tall enough for proper groundcover. Therefore, leave your grass at least 3 inches high when you mow it the next time.

Water the Lawn Well

It goes without saying that the higher the temperature, the faster the rate of evaporation. If you water your lawn only once or twice a week normally, you might have to water it more frequently during the peak summer months. Also, you need to water it more deeply which means putting down about 1” per week. This can be achieved in a single watering session, but it depends on the type of soil and grass as well as the layout of your lawn and the environmental conditions (such as the amount of rainfall each week).

Say No to Pruning

Unless your trees and shrubs are growing way too excessively and causing problems for you or your neighbors, it’s best to avoid pruning your plants during the month of July and August. Cut or trim them only if there is dire need to do so. This is because pruning the plants in the hot season has a greater risk of killing them altogether. Wait until autumn arrives and you can shape and crop your trees and shrubs without any harm. However, you can prune dead flowers and dried leaves so that your plants stay green and healthy.

Do Not Lay or Seed New Grass

Many home gardeners think that summer is a good time to lay new grass or sow grass seeds to increase the turf density. But the reality is quite the opposite. Although the heat might speed up the germination process, it will also burn the young grass blades as they appear. Cool-season grasses must be seeded in the fall for best results.

Avoid Using Too Much Fertilizer

You might be tempted to use a generous amount of fertilizer so that your garden quickly flourishes into a stunning place that will impress your guests. But remember that using too much fertilizer is likely to kill your plants. However, you can weed and mulch your garden in case you haven’t done it so far already.

Follow these landscaping tips for July to ensure that your garden stays attractive and picture-perfect all summer long.  If you need a professional to help you out, contact Createscape Landscaping. Service.