5 Tips for Keeping Your Yard Healthy by Beating the Summer Heat!

The Louisiana summer heat is no joke! Instead of letting your yard succumb to the sizzle, follow these helpful tips to create the most appealing outdoor hangout for your friends and family this sunny season. But more importantly, these tips can save you from any trouble once the summer comes to a close! 

Grass Length Perfection

Mowing the lawn at a higher height insulates the grass from the summer sun and reduces water loss from the soil. Lucky for you, most lawn mowers have easy-to-adjust blade heights so simply adjust the blade height on your mower to 3 inches and you’re all set!

Keep Your Grass Hydrated

Sadly, more plants are killed through over-watering than under-watering. You may not ever need to water your lawn if Mother Nature is on your side, but if you notice the growth is beginning to brown, water for 30 minutes (no more than ½ inch) once or twice a week. The best time to water is between 6-10 am or 4-7 pm, avoiding 11 am-3 pm which is the hottest part of the day.  Also, refrain from watering overnight as this provides the perfect conditions for mildew and fungus to grow, which no one wants to hassle with!

Save Your Grass!

Don’t make the mistake of over-fertilizing your grass or gardens. Doing this can create a flush of tender growth that will struggle in the hot summer weather. It’s best to avoid fertilizing during the hottest months of summer and to wait until fall when the greenery starts thriving on its own. When you do start to use fertilizer, use discretion. Some liquid fertilizers feed the greenery and make it thrive, but they do not appropriately enhance the soil like granular fertilizers most often do.

Clean up Spring Growth and Keep Weeds at Bay

Keep your shrubbery and garden well-manicured by trimming dead or obtrusive branches from last season, including tackling those unwanted weeds. Everyone dreads weeding a garden, but it could mean the difference between a beautiful thriving garden and one that is way overgrown in weeds. To make this task easier, consider investing in a stainless steel claw weeder.

Let it Bloom

Get the color your yard needs by planting flowers that thrive even through the summer heat. Be sure to research each flower before planting; some require some shade or more water. Understand the flowers you’re planting to help them prosper.

And don't forget to take before and after pictures of your yard to document all the hard work you put in!