Late summer landscaping is an excellent opportunity to refresh and enhance your
outdoor spaces before the cooler months arrive. Here are some landscaping ideas and
tasks you can consider for late summer:
Plant Late-Blooming Flowers: Choose flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall
to add vibrant colors to your garden. Some examples include asters, mums, sedums,
and goldenrods. These plants can provide a beautiful display of colors and attract
pollinators to your garden.
Add Ornamental Grasses: Ornamental grasses are great for late summer landscaping
as they add texture, movement, and interest to your garden. Grasses like miscanthus,
feather reed grass, and switchgrass can create stunning visual effects and sway
gracefully in the late summer breeze.
Mulching and Weeding: Late summer is an ideal time to refresh your mulch to conserve
soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Take some time to weed out any unwanted
plants that might have cropped up during the growing season.
Pruning and Deadheading: Trim back any overgrown or leggy plants to encourage
bushier growth and remove spent flowers through deadheading. Pruning and
deadheading can promote healthier plants and keep your garden looking neat and tidy.
Create a Focal Point: Consider adding a new focal point to your garden, such as a
decorative garden statue, a birdbath, a fountain, or a beautiful seating area. A wellplaced
focal point can draw the eye and create a sense of harmony in your outdoor
space.
Install Hardscape Elements: If you’ve been considering adding hardscape features like
a patio, pathway, or retaining wall, late summer can be an ideal time to complete such
projects. The ground is generally easier to work with, and the weather is more
cooperative for outdoor construction.
Container Gardening: Utilize containers to create seasonal displays on your porch,
patio, or deck. Choose plants with complementary colors and textures for an eyecatching
arrangement.
Address Lawn Care: Late summer is an appropriate time to address any issues with
your lawn. Perform aeration, overseeding, and fertilization to promote healthy grass
growth and prepare it for the following spring.
Create a Fall Vegetable Garden: Plant cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach,
kale, and broccoli in late summer for a bountiful fall harvest.
Outdoor Lighting: As the days get shorter, consider installing outdoor lighting to enhance
the ambiance of your garden during the evenings and add an element of safety and
security.
Late Summer Landscaping
Remember to consider your local climate and the specific needs of the plants you
choose for your late summer landscaping. With some thoughtful planning and effort, you
can create a beautiful and inviting outdoor space to enjoy well into the fall season.
