Seasonal Landscaping Tips: Preparing Your Garden for Summer

As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to prepare your garden and outdoor spaces to ensure they thrive during the warmer months. Here are some detailed tips and advice on planting schedules, lawn care, and seasonal design ideas to help you get started.

Planting Schedules

1. Choose the Right Plants

• Opt for heat-tolerant and drought-resistant plants such as lavender, salvia, and succulents. These plants can withstand high temperatures and require less water.

• Consider native plants, which are naturally adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, making them easier to maintain.

2. Timing is Everything

• Plant summer annuals like marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers in late spring to early summer.

• For vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and beans are excellent choices for summer planting. Aim to plant them after the last frost date in your region.

3. Mulching

• Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulches like straw, wood chips, or compost are ideal.

Lawn Care

1. Watering Wisely

• Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize evaporation and allow the grass to absorb moisture before the heat of the day.

• Deep watering twice a week is more effective than frequent shallow watering. Aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.

2. Mowing Techniques

• Set your mower blades higher during summer to allow the grass to grow longer. Taller grass shades the soil, reduces evaporation, and keeps the roots cooler.

• Keep your mower blades sharp to ensure a clean cut, which helps prevent disease.

3. Fertilization

• Apply a slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of summer to provide your lawn with essential nutrients throughout the season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive growth and increased water needs.

Seasonal Design Ideas

1. Outdoor Living Spaces

• Create comfortable and inviting outdoor living areas by adding shaded seating, such as pergolas or umbrellas. This allows you to enjoy your garden even during the hottest parts of the day.

• Incorporate outdoor lighting like string lights, lanterns, and solar-powered garden lights to extend your enjoyment into the evening.

2. Water Features

• Install a water feature such as a fountain, pond, or birdbath. Water features not only add aesthetic appeal but also help cool the surrounding area and       attract wildlife.

3. Container Gardening

• Use containers to add color and flexibility to your garden design. Place potted plants on patios, decks, and along pathways to create focal points and add visual interest.

• Choose colorful and heat-tolerant flowers for your containers, such as petunias, geraniums, and begonias.

• Place plants strategically, utilizing natural shade to protect your more sensitive plants. 

4. Garden Maintenance

• Regularly deadhead flowers to encourage new blooms and prevent plants from going to seed.

• Prune shrubs and trees to maintain their shape and promote healthy growth. Be mindful of the specific pruning needs of each plant species.

By following these tips and incorporating these ideas, you can create a vibrant, healthy, and beautiful garden that will thrive all summer long. Preparing your garden for the season not only enhances its beauty but also ensures that your outdoor spaces remain a relaxing and enjoyable retreat.

Need some guidance to help enhance your outdoor space? Aspen Falls is a Premier Landscaping Design and Construction firm operating in Denver since 2005. We proudly serve many communities in Southeast Denver, including Cherry Hills Village, Englewood, Littleton, Aurora, Highlands Ranch, and Castle Rock. We would love to help with all your landscaping and construction projects!

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