Sweet summertime is finally here and higher temperatures are starting to do a number on your lawn and garden.  We’ve compiled our best tips for keeping your yard and garden looking their best this summer. 

Water, water, water!

We are approaching the hottest months of the year, keep plants hydrated with proper watering.  

Watering regularly is the key to success during the summer months. Your lawn may start turning brown in some spots, don’t worry it will bounce back once it receives water on a regular basis. Annuals, perennials and newly planted trees and shrubs need supplemental water to survive periods of drought. 

Lawns and established garden plants typically need one inch of water a week. Use a rain gauge throughout your yard to judge how much water each area is getting. If it is less than an inch over the course of week, supplement with sprinklers, or hand watering.

Newly planted flowers, trees and shrubs will need water daily through the first summer. Lack of adequate water is the number one reason new plants fail to thrive.  

Read our blog Summer Watering Tips to learn more.

Maintain Garden Beds

Regular maintenance is the key to a beautiful garden all season long.

• Apply a layer of mulch to garden beds to conserve moisture, reduce weeds and improve the appearance. Watch our video Gardening 101 for more tips
• Remove weeds regularly to reduce competition for moisture and nutrients.
• Remove any fallen leaves and debris which can harbor insect pests and disease organisms.
• Check for pests and problems regularly, treat as they arise. Watch our video When to Visit the Garden Pharmacy.
• Apply repellents to keep deer and animals away. 
• Sow seeds for lettuce, kale, broccoli, cabbage, radishes, and arugula for fall harvest.  Learn more at Vegetable Gardening 101

Prune

Pruning plants keeps them healthy and happy year after year. July is the perfect time to prune those trees and shrubs that have been waiting for a haircut all Spring. 

• Prune Maple trees.
• Prune evergreen and deciduous hedges.
• Prune all plants that have dead, diseased, crossing or weak branches.
• Prune climbing roses after they’ve flowered.

Watch our video All About Roses to learn more.

Fertilize

Plants, like people, need food and water. Be sure to provide all your plants with the proper nutrients to help them thrive during the season.

• Apply slow-release fertilizer, like Osmocote or Proven Winners Slow Release Fertilizer, in midsummer for good plant performance through Fall. 
• Fertilize all annual plants and container gardens with a water-soluble fertilizer, like English Gardens Bloom Builder or Proven Winners Water Soluble Plant Food. 
• We recommend a regular fertilizing program — every 10 days to two weeks to keep everything looking great.

Learn more about caring for you annual with Color all Season: Tips for Planting Annuals.

Tip: You will need to fertilize hanging baskets and containers more often than garden plants. Watering leaches vital nutrients from hanging baskets and containers faster than plants in the ground. 

Lawn Care

Keeping your lawn lush and green during these hot months can be a challenge. Doing regular maintenance will help keep it looking its best. 

• Mow lawn at a height of 2 ½” to 3 inches. 
• To keep a lawn growing actively, it needs about one inch of water per week.  Put a rain gauge in the lawn to make sure.
• Running the sprinklers for 10 minutes at dawn or dusk will help keep your lawn hydrated. 

Read our blog Summer Lawn Care Tips for more information

Ask Us For Advice

We are here to help you with all your gardening and landscape needs. If you have questions, visit the experts at any of our retail stores and talk to an expert.