Can Your Lawn Take the Heat?

Summer will be here soon, and it can be brutal on your lawn. But summer hardiness can be improved this year and in the years ahead. Here are some things to think about through the rest of the growing season:

Mowing

As temperatures increase, you should gradually raise your mowing height by 25% to 50%. You should also remove no more than 1⁄3 of the grass blade at a time. This will keep the soil shaded and encourage deeper roots. When summer heat starts to subside, you can gradually lower the mowing height again.

Watering

Water your lawn deeply and infrequently, since light, frequent waterings encourage shallow roots that can’t sustain grass plants. Your lawn needs from 1" to 11⁄2" of water per week from rainfall or sprinkling, and you should soak the soil to a depth of 6" each time. Early morning is the best time to water.

Core Aeration and Fertilization

Core aeration in the fall opens up the soil, breaks up thatch and improves the flow of air, water and fertilizer to the roots. By having your lawn fertilized after aeration, your turf will be less susceptible to disease while exhibiting improved recovery from the stresses of summer heat and drought. Fall fertilization will also lead to fewer summer weed problems, better fall-to-spring color, and a decreased need spring mowing.

Got Spring Bloom Envy?

  As you look around your neighborhood this spring, you may see some flowering trees that you’d like to have in your own landscape. If a tree that you like is flourishing in your neighborhood, that’s a good indicator that it will do well on your property too. But before making any final decisions, you should make sure you have answers to the following questions:

• Will the tree eventually outgrow its intended site?
• What type of fruit or pods will it produce (if any)?
• How much pruning will be needed to keep it in shape?
• What will it look like in the fall?
• How susceptible will it be to insect or disease problems?

Once you’re sure that the tree you have in mind is a good choice for your property, you can go ahead with the installation. If you’re looking for suggestions, you may want to consider some of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preventing Storm Damage

When severe storms hit your neighborhood, the valuable landscape trees on your property may be at risk of sustaining major damage. High winds are the most common cause of storm damage to trees.

Wind damage can occur when there are too many branches with too little space between them, or when branch connections are structurally weak. Previously damaged or decaying limbs can also be a problem.

Are Your Trees at Risk?

The best way to determine whether your trees can handle high winds is to have them inspected by a certified arborist. In some cases, thinning some of your trees may be all that’s needed. Or, it might be necessary to remove dead or dying wood.

Remember that lightning can cause serious damage too. If you’re concerned about the possibility of lightning strikes, you may want to look into having lightning protection systems installed.

 

Questions & Answers

Q. I’ve heard people talking about “deadheading” perennials. What does this mean?

A. Deadheading refers to removing spent (or faded) flowers from a plant. Whether you’re deadheading a perennial or an annual, less energy will be used for seed production, so more blooms can be produced. On average, perennials bloom for three to four weeks during their peak season. But they can be encouraged to bloom even longer through deadheading. Here are just a few perennial plants that are known to respond favorably to deadheading:

Quick Tips for Spring

• It’s a good idea to turn the soil in flower beds at least once before planting. This aerates the soil and makes planting easier.

• Disease and insect activity is building up steam on trees and shrubs right about now. If you see signs of insects on your valuable landscape plants, control measures should be taken as soon as possible to prevent major damage from occurring.

• Now is a good time to check the structure of your trees and larger shrubs. Keep an eye out for branches that are rubbing against each other or weak junctions that could easily break or snap in high winds. Plants with these problems will benefit from corrective pruning.

• Consider a small water feature for your deck or patio this year. Small, pre-formed ponds are easy to install and naturalize. Or you might prefer a fountain. There are hundreds to choose from, and the sound of gurgling water will have a relaxing and cooling effect throughout the upcoming summer!