Garden Center at Bronx Terminal #6891

As we stretch into the dog days of summer, your landscaping and garden will weather more heat and sun than earlier in the season. You'll want to consider how to keep things cool with shade, irrigation, and proper tending. You might also need ways to beat the heat. We've got advice to make it through the hotter months with flying colors.

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're worried that your lawn has crispy and brown blades of grass, don't worry. It's possible that you've got a cool season grass that basically goes to sleep and turns brown in the blazing summer sun. If that's the case, it'll be brown overall instead of in patches. See if the roots are alive by tugging on a blade of grass: If it comes right out, the grass is probably dead and you'll need to replace it with grass seed or sod. If the piece of grass doesn't pull right out, it's dormant. That means it's growing and resting underground. Dormant grass should be watered deeply once or twice a week — if it doesn't rain — but don't fertilize it.

For warm-season grass that stays green in the summer, water a bit every few days and deeply once a week. The amount of water should add up to about an inch each week. Be careful not to overwater, and let the lawn dry out after heavy rains before you get out the hose or sprinkler again. If it's especially hot out, water when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. It's ok to let the grass grow taller this time of the year, as cutting it too short isn't healthy for this kind of lawn.

Care for Your Trees and Shrubs
When you're making sure your garden is watered, don't forget about the shrubs and trees. They may need less watering than vegetable plants, but they can still get dry and parched in the summer heat. It's not hard to learn how to water trees and shrubs — just be sure to aim the water at the roots. It'll help prolong the greenery and flowers and keep it from drying out.

Also, check for damaged areas on the trees, bushes, and shrubs. Pests can wreak havoc on your greenery if you don't catch them in time. Look for spots on leaves or bark, a network of raised lines on the bark, or leaves full of holes. When your leaves look like lace, insects or caterpillars are eating them. Spots may indicate several issues ranging from fungus to bugs. Those scar-like lines on tree bark could mean your tree is infected with borers, an insect that lays eggs inside the bark and then burrows out after it hatches. Any of these issues should be researched and cared for as soon as possible, as they may ultimately end the life of your shrub.

Grow Your Own Herbs
For fresh flavors to accent your homegrown produce, try herb gardening. They grow easily in pots, both indoors and outdoors, and are generally low-maintenance. If you grow herbs outdoors, stick to heat-loving herbs that'll endure the summer temperatures, and consider a hanging herb garden.

It can be tricky to plant herbs in the ground, as many of them — especially mint — are invasive and will take over your yard. So grow them in small decorative pots on a sunny window sill, porch, or even in wall planters. Herbs also work well in a hydroponic garden, which means they don't grow in regular black dirt. Instead, they grow in a mixture of rock chips, perlite, or sand.

Trees as Natural Shade
Trees are a natural source of shade, and they can change the look of your yard. Whether you plant a few trees or a small forest, remember this is a long-term commitment. When they're healthy, trees live many decades — and some for hundreds of years. Before you shop, plan so you know how to plant a tree, whether they're evergreens, deciduous tree saplings, or more mature trees.

A house framed by beautiful trees can seem picture-perfect, but research the specific trees you want before planting them. Consider the full-grown size of the trees, how far the root ball extends outward and how deep the taproots go. Trees will always find the most accessible source of water, so be sure to plant them away from the water lines so they won't be damaged by moisture-seeking roots. As majestic as trees are, it's important to also consider how and where they'd fall if a significant storm or disease weakened them. If you've planned accordingly, found trees you love, and know the best places to put them, get planting. That way, you can enjoy the leaves rustling in the breeze and dappled shade sooner rather than later.

Find Your Summertime Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes grilling, gardening, relaxing, or knocking out those outdoor DIY projects, we've got you covered. Make the most of these early mornings and lengthy evenings to enjoy all the season has to offer. Shop online at your leisure, on our Home Depot mobile app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Bronx Terminal store.