Lawn Maintenance Tips for the Hot Humid Summer

The hot humid days can take a toll on your lawn and flowers.  Here are a few tips to help keep you from being that neighbor with the brown yard.

• Water –  pay attention to hanging baskets and containers, because they dry out more quickly with the warmer temperatures.  Irrigate plants at dawn and dusk to reduce water loss from evaporation.  As you make additions to your garden, you will need to water them more than established areas.
• Houseplants – place houseplants outside in a shady location to enjoy the fresh air and rejuvenate.  Water regularly, and feed with an all-purpose (20-20-20) water soluble fertilizer to encourage growth.
• Mulch – Apply extra pine straw or shredded bark mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs to better transition these plants into your garden.  The extra mulch will reduce water loss and heat stress to the new roots.
• Lawns – Raise the cutting height of your lawnmower 1 to 1.5 inches to help your grass survive drought and heat.  Tall turf shades the soil, slows evaporation, and reduces weeds.
• Birdbaths – Relocate birdbaths to a shaded spot to slow evaporation and keep water from becoming too hot.  Placing the bath near a small tree or large shrub provides shelter for the birds and encourages use.