End-of-Summer Care

Simple Steps That Pay Off This Fall

August may still bring hot afternoons, but cooler days are just around the corner. A little attention now can help your lawn, garden and landscape finish the season strong while preparing them for fall and next spring.

Give Your Lawn a Boost

Summer heat can leave grass looking tired. Continue mowing at the recommended height, avoiding the temptation to cut it too short. Taller grass shades the soil, holds moisture and discourages weeds.

If rainfall has been scarce, water deeply but less often to encourage deeper root growth. Hold off on heavy fertilizing until early fall, when cooler temperatures allow grass to make better use of nutrients.

Refresh Flower Beds

Remove faded annuals and trim back plants that have finished blooming. Deadheading many flowering plants encourages additional blooms into early fall.

Pull weeds before they spread seeds, and add a fresh layer of mulch around trees, shrubs and flower beds to help conserve moisture, suppress weeds and give your landscape a tidy appearance.

Prepare Your Garden

Continue harvesting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and beans to encourage continued production.

As crops finish, remove dead or diseased plants to reduce the risk of pests and disease next year. Healthy plant material can be composted, while diseased plants should be discarded. You can even extend your growing season by planting cool-weather crops like lettuce, spinach or radishes.

Think Ahead

Before putting away summer equipment, clean garden tools, sharpen mower blades and store hoses properly to extend their life.

Take a walk around your property and inspect trees for damaged or dead limbs left behind by summer storms. Removing weakened branches now can help prevent property damage during fall and winter weather.

Small Steps, Big Benefits

A few hours of outdoor maintenance in August can save time and effort later in the year. By caring for your lawn, garden and landscape now, you’ll enjoy healthier plants this fall and give them a head start for next spring.