Garden Center at Ft Walton #6301

As we continue deeper into summer, 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. Just like we can get sunburned, bulb flowers can dry out, grass can get scorched, and trees can lose their leaves prematurely. Let us help. At the Garden Center in Ft Walton, we've got what you need to make it through the hotter months.

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're concerned 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 goes dormant and turns brown in the blazing summer sun. If that's the case, it'll be brown overall instead of in patches. Gently tug out a blade of grass to check the roots: If it comes right out, the grass is probably dead and you'll need to replace it. If the blade of grass doesn't come right out, it's dormant. That means it's resting but still growing beneath the surface. Water dormant grass deeply once or twice each week, but avoid fertilizer.

Warm-season grass stays green in the summer. If you have this kind of lawn, water it deeply once a week. Give it another drink every day or two, depending on your weather. Avoid overwatering, and allow the lawn to dry out after heavy rains before you get out the garden hose or sprinkler again. Water your yard when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. You can check with your finger. This might happen quicker than you'd think during drought or extreme hot spells. It's ok to let the grass grow a little taller this time of the year, as cutting your lawn too short isn't healthy for it.

Care for Your Trees and Shrubs
When you're making sure your garden is watered, don't forget about the trees and shrubs. 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 and shrubs — just be sure to 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 leaves full of holes, spots on bark or leaves, or strange raised scars on the bark. 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 all or part of your 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.

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 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 mixture of sand, perlite, or rock chips.

Trees as Natural Shade
Trees are the ultimate natural source of shade, and they can change the look of your yard. Whether you plant a few trees as accents, a few more to bear fruit, or a whole mini-forest, keep in mind 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 deciduous trees, evergreen 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 how deep the taproots go, how far the roots extend outward, and the full-grown size of the trees you want. Plant your trees far from water pipes, as their strong roots will seek water and curl into piping to get it. A tree with a full canopy of leaves catches wind like a sail, so make sure it's planted a safe distance from your home. 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 Lawn Care Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes gardening, grilling, relaxing, or finishing your 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 Ft Walton store.