Garden Center at Forest City #263

As we continue deeper into summer, your landscaping and garden will weather more intense heat and UV rays than earlier in the year. You'll need to consider how to keep things cool. Just like we can get sunburned, grass can get scorched, trees can lose their leaves prematurely, and garden flowers can dry out. We've got guidance to help your lawn, your garden, and your family make it through the hotter months.

Keep Your Garden Tidy
As the weeks tick by, the sod or grass seed you planted will grow taller than what's ideal. It's going to need some maintenance to look manicured and fresh. Keep the lawn in check with a self-propelled lawn mower and a string trimmer to knock down any tall grass around trees and hardscaping.

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. Trim wild branches to the shape you want 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 trees and shrubs. They may need less watering than delicate flowers, but they can still get dry and parched 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 keep it from drying out.

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 leaves full of holes, strange raised scars on the bark, or spots on bark or leaves. When your leaves look like lace, insects or caterpillars are eating them. Spots may indicate a number of 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. It's easy to learn how to grow herbs indoors, but you can raise herbs outdoors, too. 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 keep 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 soil. Instead, they grow in a mixture of perlite, sand, or rock chips.

Vines as Decorative Shade
Plant vines to climb a trellis or arched arbor to provide both beauty and shade. Viney plants that are native to your area are a good choice for success and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Grape vines are a classic choice, but they take time to mature, so you'll have shade without grapes for a few years. Remember to match your vine plants to how much sunshine you receive, as some like full sun and others don't. As a bonus, many vines put out sweet-smelling flowers, so you can enjoy a delightful fragrance as you cool off in the shade.

Find Your Summertime Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes gardening, relaxing, grilling, or knocking out those 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 Forest City store.