Here we are in the middle of July and the summer heat is here. Even though we have some rain in the forecast, the heat of summer will quickly evaporate it away, stressing out your landscape. We offer you a few tips from the pros to help keep your plantings a little less heat-stressed in the summer heat.

How To Recognize Stressed Plants

If you notice your plants are looking wilted, grey in appearance, dropping leaves and dropped blooms, you may be able to still save them with a good thorough watering. Though you may not get any more blooms this season from a stressed plant, it should return to blossoms next year. However, if the leaves appear to be brown and crispy, and even the cooler temps of the evening don’t perk it up a little, it may have reached a permanent wilting point and must be replaced. It is important to keep plants well-watered during the heat of summer and make sure they are placed in the correct locations of your garden, no direct sun to those that require partial or full shade, etc. The intense summer heat is unrelenting to exposed and dry plants. 

How To Know What My Landscape Needs The Most?

In the intense months of summer, when drought and heat can be at their peak, it is important to triage those items in your landscape that need it most. Shrubs and trees which have been newly planted are the most vulnerable in your landscape and are often the most costly. You want to pay special attention to them to avoid losing them and your investment. Those that are more established and have developed a deep root system over a few years, will survive stress a little better but should not be altogether neglected. 

For perennial plants, help give them a break and ensure their return next season by trimming their stalks and blossoms. A plant in bloom uses more energy and can cause stress to the plant. 

Regular watering, seasonal fertilizing, and landscape maintenance by our knowledgeable crews can keep your entire Sykesville, MD property looking it’s very best. 

Pro Watering Tips

For the best health and appearance of your plants, it is important to have a good watering plan. We suggest watering deep (8 to 12 inches down) overwatering often. This deep watering creates a reservoir for the trees, plants, and grass to pull from during the hottest part of the day. The time of day matters as well, preferably around 5 or 6 am, but if that is not possible, evening watering is fine too. A little powdery mildew is better than stress and dehydration. 

Not sure if you are watering deep enough? Take a large screwdriver and press it into the soil. If your screwdriver has a hard time pressing into the soil, it needs more water.

If you missed our spring mulching, we can still add it now! Mulch is great at retaining moisture in the ground where you want it. Mulch also reduces the growth of water stealing weeds. 

Have questions about your landscape? Give us a call today at (800) 345-8873.