Solving Common Summer Landscaping Problems

June 24, 2020

Sunshine. Warm temperatures. Flips flops. What’s not to love about summer?

Summer weather is perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. But it’s not always all fun in the sun when it comes to your lawn and landscape. Soaring temperatures, sunlight, and dry conditions can quickly bring about some easily avoidable summer landscape issues.

Nuisance plants

Have you ever walked around your home and noticed some strange plants creeping around your shrubs or flower beds that you didn’t plant? What is it?

Nuisance plants have a way of just popping up in landscaping over summer months. Not only can they be unsightly, but some, like poison ivy and English Ivy, can cause rashes and other health issues. This unwelcome vegetation can also wreck even the most well thought out landscaping if not managed. Nuisance vines and plants can compromise root systems and eventually kill trees, shrubs and other plants, so it’s best to get rid of them as soon as you see them.

Dry Soil & Vegetation

We wait all winter for bright, hot summer days. But high temps and little rainfall can kill that lawn and landscape you’ve put a lot of time, energy, and money into.

A lack of water can lead to dry and compacted soil. Compaction around trees and shrubs can kill them. This is why it is essential to adequately water trees, shrubs, and bushes. This is needed even more during extended periods of dry weather.

Burnt Plants & Bushes

No doubt your skin will get scorched after a long day in the hot sun. The same thing happens to trees and plants. Extreme temperatures can cause them to get sunburnt.

Heat stress, or leaf scorch, happens during periods of high heat. Under these conditions, water doesn’t get to the leaves of a tree or shrub from the roots fast enough. This can result in dry, brown, dead leaves.

Weeds

Weeds are the bane of even the most seasoned gardener. Controlling them is a must. And the longer you let it go, the bigger the problem will be.

Weeds go to seed when they are allowed to grow too long. Those seeds continue to spread across your summer landscape.

Here is something to think about: One single dandelion can have up to 150 seeds. Do the math and you’ll see how quick your weed problem can grow.

Over Fertilizing

You want a lush landscape, so you apply fertilizer. While you might think you are doing what’s best for your yard, you don’t want too much of a good thing.

Too much fertilizer can really damage your flowers, shrubs, trees, and bushes during hot summer months. Over fertilizing can actually burn the plants. It can also lead to overgrowth late in the season which leaves them susceptible to damage over the winter.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms seem to pop up overnight, especially after a good rain. They are mostly harmless and don’t cause lawn disease. However, the fungi can be unsightly. Plus, there is some worry that pets or small children may be tempted to eat them and could get sick.

Mushrooms need to be controlled quickly. Failing to control them can lead to more spores which will spread more fungi.

Seasonal Swampy Areas

Do you end up with a swamp or pond in the backyard following a heavy summer downpour?

Ponding water can lead to a myriad of problems, including seeping into your basement and damaging your foundation. In addition, seasonal swampy areas are breeding grounds for all sorts of pests, including mosquitoes.

Pooling water could indicate you have a drainage problem. If this is happening in your yard it is best to call in a professional to evaluate the situation.

Conclusion

Nothing complements your home quite like a plush, vibrant, and healthy lawn and landscaping. Summer can bring out the best of this scenery. But it takes work to keep it looking great.

Summer shouldn’t be all work and no play. Let the experts at Twin Oaks Landscape tackle your summer landscape problems for you. Twin Oaks landscape offers seasonal and lawn maintenance services to keep your lawn and landscape in tip top shape. Let us handle your summer landscape needs while you celebrate the season. Contact Twin Oaks Landscape today to find out more about all of our services.