Garden Center at E Colonial #266

As summer stretches on, your landscaping and garden will weather more intense heat and UV rays than earlier in the year. That means you'll need to consider how to keep things cool with irrigation and proper tending. You might also need ways to beat the heat. Let us help. At the Garden Center in E Colonial, we've got what you need to make it through the hotter months with flying colors.

Keep It Tidy
As the weeks tick by, the grass you planted will grow taller than what's ideal. You'll need to maintain it so it'll look fresh and manicured again. Keep the lawn in check with a riding lawn mower and a string trimmer to knock down any tall grass around hardscaping and trees.

Trees, bushes, and shrubs climb toward the sun and lose their shape over time. In the summer, they'll be growing fast, filled with buds and blooms before you know it. Prune them to better show off their verdant beauty with garden shears and hedge trimmers. It's best to leave major tree maintenance and tree topping to the pros, but you may want to use a pole saw for minor trims and a chainsaw to shape small trees and bushes.

Care for Your Shrubs and Trees
When you're making sure your garden is watered, don't forget about the shrubs, bushes, and trees. They may need less watering than vegetable plants or delicate flowers, but they can still get parched and dry in the summer heat. It's not hard to learn how to water trees — just make sure you aim the water at the roots. It'll help grow strong leaves and flowers. If it's a fruiting tree, it'll also help give it enough moisture to put out blossoms and fruit and keep it from turning brown or yellow.

Also, check for damaged areas on the trees and bushes. Pests can wreak havoc on your greenery if you don't catch them in time. Look for strange raised scars on tree bark, spots on leaves or bark, or holes in leaves. When your leaves look like lace, something is eating them. Spots may indicate a number of issues ranging from bugs to fungus. 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 a severe case may kill all or part of your tree or shrub.

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

Planting herbs in the ground can be tricky, as many of them — especially mint — are invasive and will take over your yard. So grow them in small decorative pots on a sunny porch, window sill, 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 mix of sand, perlite, or rock chips.

Vines as Decorative Shade
Set up vines to climb a trellis or arched arbor to provide both shade and beauty. Go with native viney plants to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Wisteria, ivy, and jasmine are common options for creating a shady and beautiful archway or pathway. Remember to match your vine plants to how much sunshine you receive, as not all of them thrive in full sun. As a bonus, many vines put out sweet-smelling flowers with a delightful fragrance you can enjoy.

Find Your Summertime Landscaping Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes gardening, relaxing, grilling, or knocking out outdoor DIY projects, we've got the supplies you need to keep your days flowing with ease. 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 mobile app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your E Colonial store.