Another long hot summer is ahead of us, and there’s no better way to cool yourself down and chill out after a hard day at work than lounging in your yard with a glass of cold drink.
But after a cold winter and fickle spring, your yard probably leaves much to be desired in the grooming department. Not to mention that summer dry spells and scorching temperatures can make a mess of your grass and wipe out your landscaping efforts.
If you want to enjoy the view, it’s time to maintain your yard and keep it in prime condition.
1. Aerate Your Lawn
Your lawn needs oxygen, too, especially if there’s a lot of running around and playing in the same spot.
Namely, such heavy traffic can bring about so-called soil compaction, which in turn prevents water, nutrients, and oxygen from penetrating and entering the soil, as well as reaching roots.
As a result, your lawn will look shabby and lifeless.
To ensure that the grass is vibrant, lush, and fresh, it’s essential to aerate your lawn if necessary.
Aerating is a procedure of perforating small holes in the soil with a lawn aerator.
According to experts, this procedure should be carried out every 1 to 3 years, but high-traffic areas require to be attended more frequently.
2. Control Pests
If you want a well-groomed yard, look out for any garden pests that thrive at this time of year and feed on your plants.
Aphids, grasshoppers, all kinds of termites can do significant damage to flowers and leaves. If you notice poorly formed leaves, it’s a sign that aphids have infested your plants. They particularly prefer roses, citrus, and fruit trees.
An easy and natural way to eliminate those annoying creatures is by washing your plants using a strong jet of water.
Using insecticidal soap is another option, but if you still want to keep things eco-friendly and natural, it’s a good idea to release ladybugs to take care of this problem. The best time to do so is at dusk.
Slugs and snails can also destroy your garden and landscaping, so it’s a good idea to bait them and pull them out by hand.
You can nip this problem in the bud by choosing native plants that are naturally resistant to the pest.
Finally, make sure to check out local pest issues so that you can tell the difference between harmful bugs and those that you should welcome to your yard.
3. Decorate Your Yard
Garden ornaments can add a touch of art to your yard.
They can improve the atmosphere and make the entire environment more pleasant. Think about a gate or fence made out of wrought iron, stone benches, tree-hung lanterns, and solar garden lights.
To protect your patio from the elements, particularly the blazing sun, research pergola installation services and make your yard even more appealing during the hot summer days.
If you love to entertain and throw parties, a makeshift bar can be an interesting and practical addition to your little corner of paradise. Similarly, a cozy dining space can serve not only as your party prop – you can dine al fresco on regular days too.
A treehouse will wow and delight your kids and their playmates so that they will definitely spend more time in the fresh air instead of glued to their electronic devices.
4. Inspect Your Trees
If there are trees in your yard, it’s of crucial importance to perform regular inspections for loose or rotten branches that can lead to damage or even injury.
Dead tree roots are even more dangerous as they can fall seemingly out of the blue and potentially harm somebody.
If you have trees that hang over your house, garage, patio, pathways, or spots where your family gathers, make sure to check carefully whether they’re safe. In case the damage isn’t extensive, you can mask it and protect the tree.
However, it’s best to contact professional inspection and tree pruning services every 2-3 years or whenever you notice that something is off.
Summer sun, foot traffic, and pests can take a toll on your yard, so follow these simple tips to prep and maintain it for this season.
