If you’ve been neglecting lawn care this summer, managing your landscape late season may seem like a fruitless effort with cold weather on the horizon. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s the perfect opportunity to play catch-up on the lawncare tasks you couldn’t get around to earlier in the season. What you do now can nurture better growth next spring. Let’s review some tips on managing your landscape during late summer.

1.     Weed During Late Summer

If you’ve allowed your garden to be overrun by weeds, it’s not too late to take care of the problem. In fact, ignoring weeds long-term will only exacerbate the issue, as they will flower over time and spread their seeds. Just as there are annual flowers, there are annual weeds, which have a longer flowering period. The more seeds you allow to spread, the more of an impact these weeds will have on your landscape next year.

2.     Deadhead Your Spent Flowers

Deadheading is a form of pruning that requires removing dead flowers from plants. Deadheading in the late summer will extend the flowering season and promote a healthier bloom cycle. It can also reduce the self-seeding process, keeping your flowering plants from spreading about your landscape.

3.     Water Your Plants

While many plants may go dormant during fall, it’s no less important to keep them hydrated. The roots of your plants start to actively grow during late summer, and due to the high temperatures, they will need proper hydration to endure the stress. Watering your plants will help them grow a stronger root system through the end of summer and into fall, building a strong defense in time for winter.

4.     Apply Another Layer of Mulch

While you may have added mulch to your landscape in spring, late summer is a good time to reevaluate your level of mulch. Over the past few months, the initial layer of mulch may have dwindled, leaving you with inadequate protection. You should ideally have a couple of inches of mulch to be effective at keeping your plants cool and preventing erosion.

There’s no need to wait until next spring to complete your lawn care tasks. By following these tips on managing your landscape during late summer, you can ensure your landscape maintains its clean look for longer and is ready to return to its full glory next year. At Dolan Landscaping, we can take on the heat and help with your late summer landscape maintenance. If you require help ensuring your outdoor property withstands the remaining dog days of summer, contact us today.