Summer is a time to give your outdoor space the attention it needs. From proper watering techniques to smart mowing habits, maintaining your landscape during the hot months requires some special care and consideration. A well-maintained yard not only enhances your home’s curb appeal but also creates a healthy environment for plants to thrive throughout the season.
We’ve created this comprehensive checklist to help you organize your summer landscaping tasks. Whether you’re dealing with lawn maintenance, garden beds, or irrigation systems, having a plan makes the work more manageable. Our guide covers essential activities like adjusting mower blade heights, checking sprinkler systems for leaks, and applying mulch to retain moisture in garden areas.
Preparing Your Lawn and Garden for Summer
Getting your outdoor space ready for summer requires attention to your soil’s health and structure. These fundamental steps will set the stage for a lush lawn and thriving garden throughout the hot months ahead.
Assessing Soil Condition
Before starting any summer lawn or garden work, check your soil’s health. A simple soil test can reveal pH levels and nutrient deficiencies that might affect plant growth. Most lawns prefer a slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Moisture levels are equally important to monitor. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil – if it feels dry at that depth, your lawn needs water. For garden beds, aim for soil that feels like a wrung-out sponge.
You can also add compost or organic matter to improve soil structure. This helps with both drainage and moisture retention, crucial for summer heat. Apply a 1-2 inch layer and gently work it into the top few inches of soil.
Aeration Techniques
Compacted soil prevents water, nutrients, and oxygen from reaching the grass roots, so aerate your lawn at least once yearly, ideally in spring before summer heat arrives. Core aeration works best for most lawns. This process removes small plugs of soil, creating channels for air, water, and nutrients. For small lawns, manual aerators work well, but larger properties benefit from motorized equipment you can rent.
Consider these aeration tips:
- Aerate when the soil is moist but not soggy
- Make multiple passes in different directions
- Leave soil cores on the lawn to break down naturally
- Avoid aerating newly seeded areas
After aeration, your lawn will absorb water more efficiently, reducing runoff and helping roots grow deeper. This deeper root system creates more drought-resistant grass that stays greener through summer heat.
Essential Maintenance Tasks
The following tasks will help keep your lawn and garden healthy during the hottest months while conserving water and reducing overall work.
Effective Weeding Strategies
Weeds compete with your plants for water and nutrients, making regular removal essential. For small areas, hand-pulling works best when the soil is moist, allowing you to remove the entire root system. For larger spaces, consider using a hoe or weeding tool to cut weeds just below the soil surface. This method works well for annual weeds but may require repeated efforts for perennials with deep roots.
Pre-emergent herbicides can prevent weed seeds from germinating when applied in early summer. For established weeds, spot-treatment with herbicides may be necessary, but always follow product instructions carefully. Try to weed after rain or watering when the soil is soft. Creating a regular weeding schedule (15 minutes twice weekly) prevents weeds from establishing and going to seed.
Mulching for Moisture Retention
Mulch is your summer landscape’s best friend. A 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch helps soil retain moisture, reducing watering needs by up to 30%. Opt for materials like shredded bark, compost, or pine straw, and keep mulch 1-2 inches away from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rot and pest issues. Refresh mulch mid-summer as needed when it begins to decompose or thin out.
Benefits of quality mulch:
- Suppresses weed growth
- Moderates the soil temperature
- Prevents soil compaction from heavy rains
- Adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down
- Creates a tidy, finished appearance
Shrubs and Perennials Care
Summer is when shrubs and perennials need consistent attention to thrive. Established perennials generally need about 1 inch of water weekly, either from rainfall or irrigation. Native plants often require less water once established, making them excellent choices for sustainable landscapes. For shrubs, avoid heavy pruning during extreme heat as it stresses plants. Instead, limit summer pruning to the removal of damaged or diseased branches.
Deadheading spent flowers encourages continued blooming on many perennials. Prune flowering shrubs after their blooming cycle ends to shape and control size without sacrificing next year’s flowers. Watch for pests and diseases, too, especially during humid periods. Yellow leaves, holes, or unusual spots warrant investigation. Many issues can be addressed with organic solutions like neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Watering and Irrigation Best Practices
Proper watering is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn and garden during the summer months. It ensures your plants thrive while conserving water and promoting deep root growth.
Irrigation Scheduling and Methods
Most established lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, whether from rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than frequently shallow watering. This encourages roots to grow deeper and creates more drought-resistant plants.
Early morning (between 4-10 AM) is the ideal time to water, as this reduces evaporation and gives plants time to dry before evening, preventing fungal diseases. Always check soil moisture before watering by inserting a screwdriver into the ground. If it goes in easily, you can likely skip watering that day.
Consider these efficient irrigation methods:
- Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to plant roots with minimal waste
- Soaker hoses slowly release water at the soil level
- Smart sprinkler controllers adjust watering based on weather conditions
Conserving Water During Drought
During drought conditions, you need to prioritize water usage, focusing on watering newly planted areas and valuable perennials first. Established trees and shrubs can often survive with less frequent watering. Water only when plants show signs of stress – wilting leaves or dull, blue-green color in lawns.
Raise your mower height to 3-4 inches, as taller grass creates shade for the soil and reduces evaporation. Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return moisture and nutrients to the soil. Applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around plants and trees significantly reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses water-hungry weeds. You can also collect rainwater in barrels to use during dry periods. This free resource is perfect for garden irrigation.
Pest and Insect Management
Summer brings unwanted visitors that can damage your carefully maintained landscape. Proper identification and timely intervention can save your plants and lawn from damage.
4 Common Pests and Insects
- Grubs appear as C-shaped, white larvae that feed on grass roots, causing brown patches that pull up easily from the soil. Look for them by digging a few inches below the affected areas.
- Chinch bugs are tiny insects (about 1/5 inch) with distinctive black bodies and white wings. They cause yellowish-brown patches in sunny, dry areas of your lawn that don’t respond to watering.
- Aphids cluster on the undersides of leaves, causing them to curl and yellow. These tiny pear-shaped insects come in various colors, including green, black, or white.
- Spider mites create fine webbing on plants and cause stippled, discolored foliage. Hold a white paper under leaves and tap – tiny moving dots indicate their presence.
Signs of Common Garden Pests:
- Holes in leaves (caterpillars, beetles)
- Slime trails (slugs, snails)
- Wilting despite adequate water (root-feeding insects)
- Stunted growth (various pests)
Natural and Chemical Control Methods
Companion planting offers effective natural protection. For example, marigolds deter nematodes, basil repels mosquitoes and flies, and nasturtiums attract aphids away from vegetables, serving as trap plants. You can also introduce beneficial insects to your garden. Ladybugs and lacewings eat aphids, while nematodes attack soil-dwelling pests like grubs. Praying mantises provide general pest control.
Physical barriers work well for many pests. Row covers protect vegetables from flying insects, while copper tape deters slugs and snails. Sticky traps catch flying insects before they damage plants. For severe infestations, selective chemical controls may be necessary. However, you should always:
- Identify the pest correctly
- Choose the most targeted product
- Apply during appropriate weather conditions
- Follow label directions precisely
Neem oil offers an organic option that controls many insects while being relatively safe for beneficial ones. It works by disrupting feeding and growth cycles rather than through immediate toxicity.
Get in touch to discuss the best landscaping options for your garden this summer.
