Garden Center at E Lansing #2723

As we stretch into the dog days of summer, your garden and landscaping will weather more sun and heat than earlier in the year. That means you'll need 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 guidance to help your lawn, your garden, and your family make it through the hotter months with flying colors.

Lawn Repair and Patching
Scorched, or burnt, grass has a distinctively shaped discolored area that looks yellow. It happens when a reflective surface shines continuously on your lawn or plastic or metal sits on the grass and bakes in the sunlight. You'll discover it once you move something that's been sitting out in the yard, like a sprinkler or garden hose. Car windows or mirrors can also scorch grass when the sun angle is right.

Water burnt grass well and wait a week. You should see the signs of life returning by then. If it's damaged beyond repair by extreme wear or pet behavior, you'll need to replace the grass or use patch and repair seed to fix it up.

Whether you're patching a lawn or doing upkeep on your current one, keep in mind which type of grass it is. Match the kind of grass to how much sun your lawn gets — or to the existing grass type if you're doing patch repair. In other words, if your lawn gets full sun, make sure you plant grass that thrives in the sunlight instead of grass that prefers shade or dappled sun.

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

Also, check for damaged areas on the shrubs and trees. 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, caterpillars or insects are eating them. Spots may indicate many 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 part or all of your shrub.

Vertical Vegetable Gardening
For summer gardening, grow vegetables vertically to conserve space. Many vegetable plants are vines and well-suited to climb a fence or trellis, so plant them next to one and watch them climb. Support the stem itself, as well as the junctions just below where the branches grow off the stem. This is so the weight of the plant doesn't snap the stem or branches.

Fasten the plant to a trellis or pole with string, plant ties and wires, garden wire, or fabric strips. Be sure to attach each plant loosely. Then the stem has room to grow wider and the leaves and branches can sway in the breeze. Strawberry, cantaloupe, squash, cucumber, and tomato plants need support as they bear fruit. Melons and squash require hammocks made of string, old nylons, a sling, or other stretchy fabric to support the weighty produce. All of these plants take up less space on the ground when grown vertically, which allows you to fit even more plants or have walking room in between.

Trees as Natural Shade
Trees are a natural source of shade, They can change the look of your yard. Whether you plant a few trees or a small forest, keep in mind this is a long-term commitment. Trees live many decades when they're healthy. Before you shop, read up on how to plant a tree, whether they're evergreens, deciduous tree saplings, or more mature trees.

Although trees framing a house may look picturesque, you should research the specifics of those trees before you plant them. Consider the full-grown size of the trees you want, how far the roots extend outward and how deep the taproots go. Plant your trees far from underground plumbing, as their strong roots will seek water and wend into piping to get it. As majestic as trees are, it's essential to also consider how and where they'd fall if a major 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 natural shade and the soothing sound of leaves rustling in the breeze sooner rather than later.

Find Your Summertime Landscaping Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes grilling, relaxing, gardening, or finishing your outdoor DIY projects, we've got the supplies you need to keep your days flowing with ease. Make the most of these lengthy evenings and early mornings 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 Lansing store.