Garden Care: 9 Tips for Summer Lawn and Garden Care

Are you ready to prepare your yard for summer? View our infographic for the best summer lawn and garden care, including tips on watering, mowing and what to plant now.

You don’t want to be that neighbor, the one with the overgrown lawn and unkempt garden that make everyone scowl as they drive by. There’s an art to creating a beautiful landscape around your home, but you don’t need to be a professional to do it. All it takes is a little TLC and some know-how.

There are the basics that go into taking care of your home’s landscape, including mowing and watering the grass, weeding, mulching and keeping pests at bay. But there are some things you can do to really damage your yard. Watering too much, for example, could turn your lawn into the Black Lagoon. Not keeping a handle on weeds can quickly escalate to an infestation. And skipping mulch might be depriving your garden of a powerhouse player.

So grab your garden shears, don a pair of work gloves, and get out there and enjoy the summer sunshine while you work your yard. Here are some tips to make your lawn and garden the envy of your neighborhood.

Mow About Once a Week if it Hasn’t Rained

To keep your lawn in top condition, a consistent mowing schedule is crucial, particularly during periods of little to no rainfall. By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure a healthier, more resilient turf:

• Keep your lawn ¾ to 1½ inches high.
• Allow it to grow one-third of its height before cutting.
• Don’t cut grass too short! It can lead to disease and weeds.
• Keep your mower’s blades sharp.

Water Every Other Day

Ensuring your lawn receives just the right amount of water is key to its health and appearance. Here are a couple of strategies to efficiently water your lawn while conserving this vital resource:

• Water in the morning or evening so it won’t evaporate before reaching the roots.
• Don’t overwater.

Don’t Forget the Mulch

Incorporating mulch into your garden not only enhances its beauty but also boosts the health of your plants in several ways. Consider these tips when using mulch to maximize its benefits:

• Mulch keeps weeds at bay, adds nutrients, and prevents runoff and erosion.
• Use 3 inches or less.
• Don’t use plastic underneath — it prevents the nutrients from reaching your soil.
• Buy mulch from a reliable source or it might contain weed seeds.

Whack Weeds

Effective weed management is crucial for maintaining a healthy and aesthetically pleasing garden. Here are some techniques to tackle those pesky weeds, ensuring they don't overrun your outdoor space:

• If you weed after rain, pull up roots and all.
• If it’s dry, cut just below the surface.

Plant Fast-Growing Summer Veggies, Herbs, and Flowers

Maximize your garden's potential and enjoy bountiful harvests by choosing fast-growing summer plants that thrive in your climate. Keep these guidelines in mind for a vibrant and productive garden:

• In warm areas, growing seasons start earlier and last longer.
• Try plants that are native to your area.
• Vegetables: beans, cucumbers, corn, and beets
• Herbs: basil, oregano, thyme, and sage
• Flowers: marigolds, asters, black-eyed Susans, blanket flowers, and zinnias

Beat the Bugs

Adopting a natural approach to pest control can enhance your garden's health and biodiversity. Consider planting the following to attract beneficial insects that act as natural pest deterrents:

• Plant these to attract insects that battle pests: coriander, dill, spearmint, garlic, marigolds, and yarrow.
• Ladybugs and lacewings will eat aphids, mites, mealybugs, and other harmful insects.

Clean Your Tools

Maintaining your gardening tools not only prolongs their life but also improves garden hygiene. Follow these simple steps to keep your tools in top condition:

• Scrub with warm, soapy water. Rinse and air dry.
• Sand wood handles to smooth rough patches.
• Oil the wood (but never with petroleum-based oil).

Deadhead

Regularly removing spent flowers is essential for encouraging your plants to produce new blooms and extend their flowering period. Here's how to keep your garden looking vibrant:

• Remove dead and fading blooms to encourage new growth.

Prep for Fall

As summer progresses, it's time to start thinking about your autumn garden. Planting certain crops in August ensures a bountiful harvest well into the cooler months:

• Plant broccoli, carrots, lettuce, and spinach in August.
• These crops mature in a few weeks — and tend to do well in even northern gardens.

As summer sun nurtures your lawn and garden, ensuring they remain a source of pride and joy requires a bit of effort and the right care techniques. From the rhythm of mowing to the art of watering, mulching, and beyond, these tips offer a roadmap to a flourishing outdoor space. But remember, even with the best care, your tools and equipment play a pivotal role in achieving that lush, enviable greenery.

For those with riding mowers, regular maintenance is not just a recommendation; it's essential. A well-tuned mower ensures clean cuts, healthy grass, and efficient gardening sessions. Don't let maintenance slip by. Schedule a riding mower maintenance with Sears Home Services today to ensure your lawn care efforts this summer are as effective and efficient as possible. Our experts are here to help your garden gear stay in prime condition, so your lawn continues to make your neighbors green with envy.

Schedule your riding mower maintenance with Sears Home Services and give your lawn the care it deserves this summer.