Expert Landscaping Tips

Watering your trees and shrubs during the hot summer.
During the summer the heat can be stressful on your plants, trees and grasses. Trees are especially susceptible to the heat as their roots are deep and trunks are tall requiring extra water during the hottest time of the summer. It’s always a good idea to check your trees and shrubs moisture levels during hot dry periods. Be sure to water at a speed that allows the water to soak into the roots and not run off or erode the soil. It’s best to moisten the entire ground around your tree for maximum benefit. Deep watering can simply be obtained by watering for an extended period of time during the driest and hottest periods of the year.

Including Perennials to your landscaping.
If you are looking for a cost effective way to enhance your landscaping, consider adding perennials. These plants are budget friendly and last year after year. Perennials easily adapt to weather conditions and require little work other than cutting them back at the end of their growing season. Perennials can add color to your garden and many bloom throughout the summer such as roses, day lilies, and daisies. Many ornamental grasses also come back year after year and add interest and depth to your landscaping.

When to fertilize your yard and garden.
Different soils and plants require a wide array of fertilizer products. Flowers and vegetables tend to do well with a time release fertilizer. These give plants and ongoing application of food and release at different rates depending upon the brand and type you purchase. You may also like using a weekly option such as Miracle Grow. Late winter or early spring is the best time to fertilize your lawn, however depending upon the soil you may need to add nutrients such as ironite, potassium and nitrogen during the year. Different species of trees and shrubs need different nutrients to grow and produce fruit. The type of soil you have also effects the effectiveness of the fertilizer and growth of the plant. To find out what type of soil you have and what nutrients it needs you must perform a soil test. There are kits that you can buy to test your soil or you can have a professional do it for you. Fertilizers come in all formulas and forms from granular to liquid and spikes. If you are not sure what your garden, grass or trees need for fertilizer ask your local expert.

How to keep your annuals blooming all summer.
As the hot days of summer build annual flowers are blooming at rapid rates. To keep the blooms coming it’s important to remove the dead flowers and fertilize with a nitrogen fertilizer. Check your fertilizer to make sure it is Nitrate of Soda, Urea or Ammonium sulfate. Do not fertilize your annuals with a fertilizer containing a weed killer or preventer. Deadheading is the process of removing the spent blooms. This allows the plant to focus more energy on production of new blossoms. To deadhead tall flowers, but the stem at the base of the plant. For perennials with leaves on the flower stem, snap, clip or pinch off the flower just above a leaf node. Deadheading flowering plants and bushes will keep the plant healthy and looking beautiful all summer long.