Summer landscaping: tips and tricks to beat the heat

You might not be able to have much influence on the weather. But there are choices you can consider and steps you can take--before and during the hottest months of summer--to protect your lawn and garden from heat, drought, and other stressors. From yard design to spring preparation to heatwave management, read on to learn how to set yourself up for success in caring for your plants and soil during summer's heatwaves

Yard design to keep temperatures low and minimize water needs

Making intentional choices for both softscaping and hardscaping can give your lawn the best chance to thrive during hot summer weather. 

• Surface materials: Dark colors like bare soil and asphalt absorb heat, raising ambient temperatures. Solid driveways and patios can have the added issue of causing water runoff. Instead, choosing lighter colored and/or permeable pavers, gravel paths, and planted borders can help mitigate heat buildup.
• Water management: To make the most of much-needed rainfall during dry spells, ensure that hardscapes are properly graded to direct water into your turf and garden beds rather than into the storm drain. On the other hand, if flooding is a concern, such as for clay soils or poor drainage, consider permeable pavement or gravel to allow more rainwater to soak directly into the ground and reduce runoff. 
• Grass varieties and ornamentals: Drought-tolerant warm-season grasses, for example Bermuda or Tall Fescue, are natural choices to keep your lawn green during hot, dry summers. Other varieties such as Centipede love heat but aren't adapted to drought, so make sure to chose a grass type that fits your local climate and weather patterns. For low-traffic areas of your yard, alternative groundcovers such as Silver Falls dichondra (Dichondra micrantha) and creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum and others) are low-maintence options for creating a lush and vibrant space even in hot, arid environments.

Permeable pavers in light colors can help dissipate heat and allow water infiltration. Images via Wikimedia commons (left) and Aaron Volkening (right)

Preparation for summer

The yard work you do all year round--and especially in the spring--will make a big difference in the health of your plants, your grass, and your soil even before summer rolls around.

• Protect your soil. A 2- to 3-inch mulch layer in garden beds can help maintain moisture and shield the soil from the sun’s rays. For your lawn, topdressing with compost in fall and spring can help build up organic matter content. Organic matter acts like a sponge, storing water in the soil and keeping it cool, a huge game-changer in high-heat or drought conditions (not to mention many other benefits!).
• Aerate your lawn. This is usually done in fall (cool-season grasses) or late spring (warm-season grasses), every 1-3 years depending on soil condition and traffic level. Aeration breaks down compaction, which improves air and water flow to keep roots cool and hydrated.
• Adjust mower height. Keep your grass on the taller side, up to an inch more than in cooler seasons. (Recommended summer grass heights range from 2.5 to 4 inches depending on the species.) Taller grass shades the soil, prevents rapid moisture evaporation, and shades the delicate grass crowns from direct solar heat. Plus, letting the grass grow taller gives it a boost in outcompeteing weeds, and even discourages beetles from laying eggs! As always, keep the "one-third rule" and never remove more than a third of the grass blade in a single mowing, which can exacerbate heat stress for the grass.

Surviving a heat wave

Temperatures are rising . . . no need to panic! Time to take your foot off the gas in terms of lawncare and trust your prep work to give your plants the strength they need to beat the heat.

• Limit mowing stress. Avoid mowing during the hottest parts of the day. If the thermometer hits 80 for cool-season grasses or 85 for warm-season grasses, it’s best to put off mowing. If a heatwave is particularly severe, leave the lawn to grow a bit taller for a few days until evening/early morning temperatures cool down a bit. When you do mow, using a mulching blade and leaving grass clippings on the lawn can help maintain moisture, recycle nutrients, and shade the soil for some extra root protection.
• Avoid fertilizing. Avoid applying traditional nitrogen-heavy fertilizers during an active heatwave or drought since they can cause burn damage. Low does of slow-release nitrogen are a safer option, but consider waiting or skipping entirely if your plants are under severe drought or heat stress.
• Keep on watering deeply, not frequently. It might be tempting to spread out your irrigation regime over small daily sessions, but the basic principles still apply during a heatwave: 20-30 min when the soil is dry, often sticking to three times per week during a heat wave. For cool-season grasses, you can let it go dormant over the summer to dramatically reduce water consumption without compromising your lawn’s long-term health. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making the grass more drought-resilient. Rather than watering during the hottest part of the day, schedule irrigation for in the early morning (before 9 am) to minimize water loss to evaporation and prevent the spread of fungal diseases. The intention isn’t to cool off the grass with water at the surface—it’s to deliver as much of the irrigation as possible down to the roots that need it! Click here for more about watering lawns or click here for more about watering gardens.

How hot is it where you're reading from? If your lawn or garden are struggling with heat or other challenges this summer, we're here to help. Schedule an expert consultation with SoilKit today.