8 Basic Summer Tasks to Keep Your Landscape Growing and Blooming Strong
Keep Your Garden Looking Beautiful in Summer
Summer is a great time of year to enjoy your outdoor space. And if you’ve been diligent with your landscaping tasks throughout the year, you’re likely enjoying the fruits of your labor. So, while you’re out and enjoying your yard, you can do some basic tasks to keep your landscape looking great all the way to fall.
Now, let's get to your summer landscape checklist!
Your San Diego County Summer Landscape Checklist
1. Watering
Summer is in full effect and that means the heat is settling in. With the summer heat, you’ll notice that the soil in your garden beds is drying out quicker than spring. That means you’ll want to keep a closer eye on them to make sure that your plants are not wilting between waterings. If you have plants growing in a spot that receives full sun exposure, they will require more water than those in the shade.
Here's how to test your soil: Stick your finger one knuckle down into the soil. Go as deeply as you can. If it’s dry at your fingertip, it’s time to water. When watering, direct the stream of water at the soil so that it can be soaked into the soil.
Check your irrigation system and make any repairs to ensure sufficient watering.
Tip: Adjust your watering based on plant needs and weather conditions.
2. Keep Weeds at Bay
Stay on top of the weeds before they get out of hand. Yes, weeding is a year-round affair for most and you’ll want to pull them out before they go to seed. The earlier you catch weeds, the easier they are to control. You’ll want to look under the leaves of flowers for those pesky low growing weeds that may be lurking underneath.
3. Feed Your Flowers
If you have annual flowers, they should be fed regularly throughout the growing season. By doing this, your annual flowers will have the energy they need to continue growing and producing flowers.
You can feed perennials and shrubs with a slow-release plant food twice a year. Feed them in spring and midsummer.
4. Keep an Eye for Garden Pests
Insects are out and about all summer long, so keep your eyes open for any issues. Of course, some pests are worse than others. You may want to leave slugs, grasshoppers, and Japanese beetles alone. Some insects, such as the Petunia budworm can devour plant flowers quickly, so be vigilant if you notice them feasting on your plants’ flowers.
5. Remove Spent Perennial Blossoms
Perennials benefit from trimming off spent flower stems. By doing this, it can encourage rebloom and tidy up the appearance of your plants. Keep your perennial flowers looking neat and expose the pretty foliage by removing spent perennial blossoms. Removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches will promote healthy growth and shape your plants.
6. Support any Leaning Plants and Vines
Have leaning plants and vines on your property? It’s natural for plants that are growing taller. If so, it’s time to give them support by staking them up. You can find what you need at your local garden shop, such as poles, support cages, rings, and more. Garden twine comes in handy for any climbing vines that have already reached the top of the trellis.
7. Mulching
Mulch breaks down over time, and if it’s finely textured, it will likely break down and need to be reapplied in the summer. Mulch is extremely beneficial—it keeps the roots of plants cool and retains soil moisture. Apply about 2-3-inches of mulch to your plants to keep them from getting stressed in the heat. If you have bare ground on your landscape, applying mulch can also help keep weeds at bay.
8. Add Seasonal Color
Your summer landscape maintenance checklist should include adding seasonal color. Add a pop of color to your yard to spruce it up in summer. Here in San Diego County, heat tolerant varieties are a smart choice. Here are some excellent heat-tolerant options to add to your landscape:
California Fuchsia:
Blooms scarlet to orange-red flowers. Attracts hummingbirds.
California Lilac:
Drought and salt tolerant. Blooms are vibrant blue or purple flowers.
San Diego Monkeyflower:
Blooms golden orange or yellow flowers throughout most of the year.
Experience Quality Service. The Difference...Is Growing
Is your HOA community water bill too high? Looking for ways to reduce water use? We specialize in helping San Diego County HOA communities conserve water by updating their current landscape with waterwise alternatives.
Call us at 760-650-3120 or message us online for a free quote.
Let's work together
Do you have a landscaping project in mind? is it time for a new HOA landscaping company? Westturf Landscape Management is ready to help. We offer a wide range of services, from synthetic turf installation to weed and brush clearance and complete landscape transformations. When it comes to quality, efficient landscaping services, we have you covered.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Westturf Landscape Management
701 Mercantile Street
Vista, CA 92083
Phone: 760.650.3120