In Carmel, Indiana, we all know the saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change.” It’s true of Indiana summers, too. One day it may be in the 90s and the next day it can be in the 60s. We can have a monsoon, (as we’ve experienced this spring) or a drought, or a wild roller coaster ride with all of the above. Flexibility is a virtue when it comes to lawn care in Indiana.
You may have planned to plant a garden, and some trees, add some color, or create a whole new landscape, but if the weather has other plans, you’re the one who will have to adjust. Still, having general guidelines to follow is a good thing, weather permitting, of course.
When it comes to maintaining a lush, beautiful lawn and landscape in Indiana, summer care is critical. Our state’s warm summers offer an opportunity for your grass to grow green and strong, but they also raise a number of risks. Only by planning carefully and anticipating all your lawn and landscape’s needs can you respond to these risks and keep your turf healthy for the long haul. Not only do you need a creative and well-thought-out landscaping plan to create a stunning and eye-catching yard, but to keep your lawn lush and healthy, you need to perform routine monitoring and regular landscape maintenance. This is especially true during the summer months that are marked with high temperatures and harsh direct sunlight. With these harsh weather conditions, many homeowners may find it difficult to keep their lawn looking green and pristine throughout the summer and into fall. To keep your lawn looking healthy and lush through the sunny months, you need some summer lawn care tips to try at home.
Summer Lawn Care: Keeping Your Landscaping Fresh and Attractive
Whether your home’s landscaping is marked by small houseplants or an intricate landscape design, your garden needs regular and attentive care. In preparation for summer, keep these lawn care tips in mind to ensure long life, luscious greenery and performance:
- Clear Away Debris: Remove any large piles of leaves or other landscaping debris that may be covering large swaths of grass. This buildup can prevent sunlight from reaching the grass, not allowing the grass to grow or causing the leaves to die.
- Mowing: A healthy lawn does not necessarily mean that it has to be short. When cutting into your lawn, the blades need to be set as high as possible. The length of grass, preferably high, provides numerous amounts of benefits towards keeping the soil healthy and productive. Tall blades of grass are able to obtain more light during peak sun hours and, in turn, will use this energy to produce and provide more nutrients to the roots and surrounding soil. Taller blades will also provide shade that allows for the soil surrounding each blade of grass to maintain moisture throughout the dry heat of most summer days.
- Apply Fertilizers: To add necessary nutrients for an attractive and quality lawn, apply a healthy dose of fertilizer and weed control. Fertilizer bags display three numbers that represent the amounts of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in the fertilizer. Fertilize according to label instructions, using a broadcast spreader, handheld spreader or drop spreader for even coverage. Generally speaking, don’t feed on a hot day with temps above 90 degrees.
- Apply Pest Control: Summer brings a spike in insect and disease populations. While these insects serve a purpose in nature, they can
be problematic when there are too many of them, or when they start to affect the health of your lawn. They quickly turn from nature’s way to a homeowner’s nightmare! Some of these insects won’t just ruin your family’s time outside, they’ll ruin your lawn as well. If this happens to you, learn more about our insect and disease control treatments & get protected today! Pest control services are designed to reduce the population of insects to levels that are tolerable to the plants. All insects have properties that are beneficial to the environment. The goal is to control without elimination and to be kind to the environment. Trees and shrubs also need care and protection. - Remove Weeds: These “plants out of place” steal water and nutrients from your desirable garden plants. Plus, they can harbor insects and diseases that are harmful to your garden plants. Weeds are a nuisance, and you have to put forth a conscious effort to monitor your lawn for these problem plants. Weeds should be removed as quickly as possible before they get the chance to really take root.
- Water: For healthy grass throughout the summer, its recommended that you water your yard deeply and infrequently with at least one inch of water per week, ensuring the water depth penetrates four to six inches into your lawn. To achieve the best water and nutrient results, consider aerating your lawn. This process perforates the soil with holes to allow air, water and nutrients access to grass roots, so you have stronger roots and a more vigorous and healthy lawn.
- Plant Trees: Planting specific varieties of trees on your property can help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, which will reduce your energy costs. Deciduous trees, such as Forest Pansies and Japanese Maples, are perfect for summer. They grow massive bunches of leaves which provide some great shade in the summer heat. In the winter, these trees shed their leaves and enable the winter sun to warm up the general space through their bare branches.
- Plant a Garden: Lawns may look nice when they’re well maintained, but they aren’t environmentally friendly by any means. The EPA has estimated that the average lawn requires 10,000 gallons of water each year. Not only does a lawn require excessive amounts of water to stay green, but it also consumes energy, usually gas, to cut it with a lawnmower. On top of the high maintenance and wasted energy, lawns produce a lot of yard waste that has to be processed. You can transform your lawn into a garden and it will support you (and the environment) for years to come. You’ll save money on your grocery bills and have fresh organic produce right at your fingertips.
- Add Color to Your Landscape: Adding color to your landscape with the use of various plants with colorful leaves, vibrant blooms,
and other visual appeal can take your property to a whole new level of “wow.” While most good landscape design has a nice mix of perennials and other shrubs which add some color, you might be looking for something truly spectacular. You want gorgeous, eye-catching color and you want it incorporated throughout your property. You’re just not sure how. Adding color to your landscape design can be accomplished in four key ways: by planting annuals (both flowers and also annual plants with colorful foliage interest), adding container gardens, installing planters, and incorporating gardens for cut flowers. You can incorporate vibrant, year-round color by employing some of these ideas as part of your overall landscape design. - Add Hardscape: While the weather is good, tackle major projects, such as laying paver for a new patio, building a pond or path, installing an outdoor kitchen, or a fire pit. A patio is a must-have if you’re going to spend a lot of time outside. It offers a dedicated space for entertaining guests and creates a place to put outdoor furniture. Hardscaping is a convenient way to ensure that house guests can enjoy your outdoor space safely and in all types of weather. Hardscape design and installation can be incredibly functional as well as attractive. Whether you plan to do it yourself, or hire a professional, do your research to make sure your project is compatible with your home and outdoor needs, meets any local building codes, and comes in on budget.
- Upgrade Landscaping: Take out old, over-grown plants, and install new plant material. Updating your home’s landscaping is a great way to increase the value of your property and create outdoor spaces for relaxing and entertaining. Whether you want to focus on your front yard, backyard or entire piece of land, there are many interesting options to consider. In the front yard you could amp up curb appeal with a beautiful walkway or you could tear up your lawn in favor of an eco-friendly garden. Make your neighbors jealous by creating a front yard landscape that’s both beautiful and welcoming. In the backyard you can create a space for entertaining friends and family complete with an outdoor kitchen, fire feature, pool and more, or you could create a lush garden that attracts wildlife and allows you to relax and reflect. Embrace the indoor-outdoor lifestyle by transforming your backyard into a comfortable retreat!
Achieving the perfect Carmel, Indiana lawn can be tough, but we’re here to help! GreenLawn by Design’s lawn care services include all of the above care and more. Contact us at 317-804-8088 today to get on track to make your lawn as healthy and beautiful as it can be!
