Garden Center at Wareham #2613

As we continue deeper into summer, your landscaping and garden will weather more heat and sun than earlier in the year. You'll want to consider how to keep things cool with irrigation and shade. Just like we can get sunburned, grass can get scorched, trees can lose their leaves prematurely, and flowers can dry out. Let us help. At The Home Depot Tool Garden Center in Wareham, we've got what you need to make it through the hotter months.

Lawn Repair and Patching
Scorched, or burnt, grass has a distinctively shaped discolored area that isn't green. It happens when metal or plastic sits on the grass and bakes in the sunlight or a reflective surface shines continuously on your lawn. You'll often find it when you move something that's been sitting out in the yard, like a sprinkler or garden hose. Car mirrors or windows can also scorch grass when the sun angle is right.

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

Whether you're doing upkeep on your current lawn or patching the bare spots, 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 buildings shade your lawn so it gets partial shade or dappled sun, make sure you plant sod that prefers shade.

Care for Your Trees and Shrubs
When you're making sure your garden is watered, don't forget about the trees, shrubs, and bushes. 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 — 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 drying out.

Also, check for damaged areas on the bushes 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 tree 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 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 they may end the life of your bushes or trees.

Vertical Vegetable Gardening
For summer gardening, grow vegetables vertically to conserve space. Many vegetable plants are vines and well-suited to climb a trellis or fence, so plant them next to one and watch them climb. The key to success is supporting the stem, branches, and fruit. This is so the weight of the plant doesn't snap the branches or stem.

Fasten the plant to a pole or trellis 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 branches and leaves can sway in the breeze. Strawberries, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes 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 heavy 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.

Vines as Decorative Shade
Plant vines near a trellis or arched arbor so they'll climb it and give you both shade and beauty. Viney plants that are native to your area are a good choice for success and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Jasmine, ivy, and wisteria are common options for creating a shady and beautiful archway or pathway. Remember to match your vine plants to how much sun 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 Landscaping Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes relaxing, gardening, 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 Home Depot mobile app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Wareham store.