Garden Center at Four Points #8418

Celebrate Summertime Gardening
As summer stretches on, your garden and landscaping will weather more sun than earlier in the year. That means you'll need to consider how to keep things cool with proper tending and irrigation. Just like we can get sunburned, trees can lose their leaves prematurely, grass can get scorched, and plants can dry out. We can help. At The Home Depot Four Points - W Austin Garden Center, we've got what you need to make the most of summer.

Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're worried that your lawn has crispy and brown blades of grass, don't panic. It's possible that you've got a cool-season grass that basically goes to sleep and turns brown in the heat of the summer. If that's the case, it’ll be an overall shade of brown, but not green with brown patches. Gently tug out a blade of grass to check the roots: If it comes right out, the grass is probably dead and you'll need to replace it. If it doesn't pull right out, it's dormant. That means it's growing and resting beneath the surface. Water dormant grass deeply once or twice per week, but don't fertilize it.

Warm-season grass stays green in the summer. If you have this kind of lawn, water it deeply once a week. Give it another drink every day or two, depending on your weather. Take care not to overwater, and let the lawn dry out after heavy rains before you get out the sprinkler again. If it's especially hot out, water when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. It's ok to let it grow a little taller this time of the year, as cutting your lawn too short isn't healthy for it.

Watch Your Garden Thrive
Much of your garden's upkeep comes down to balancing sun and water. You'll need both to keep spirits high with summer flowering. A general rule when watering plants and flowers is to water the roots. A garden hose, sprinkler or sprinkler system, or drip irrigation system will work well. You don't need to water the blooms themselves. Many flowers wilt and droop when they get wet, but they'll recover just fine once they dry off. Succulents are, of course, the exception to basic watering rules, so look up your specific succulent types to optimize their care.

In addition to watering, keep an eye on your plants' nutrient intake. Apply fertilizer and plant food as recommended. We've even got fertilizers to match the plants you're growing so they'll enjoy a balanced diet with the right nutrients.

Vertical Edible Gardening
Grow produce vertically for a smart use of space. Many veggie plants are vines and well-suited to climb a fence or trellis, so plant them next to one. The key to success is supporting the stem, fruit, and branches. This is so the weight of the plant doesn't snap those parts of the plants. Fasten the plant to a trellis, pole, or fence with string, plant ties and wires, garden wire, or fabric strips. Be sure to attach each plant loosely. That way, the stem has room to grow wider, and the branches and leaves can sway in the breeze.

Cucumbers, watermelon, strawberries, and tomatoes need support as they bear fruit. Melons and squash require hammocks made of old nylons, string, a sling, or other stretchy fabric to support the weighty produce. All of these plants take up less space on the ground this way, which allows you to have walking room between plants or fit even more of them.

Trees as Natural Shade
Trees are the ultimate natural source of shade, and they can change the appearance of your yard. Whether you plant a few trees as accents, a few more to bear fruit, or a whole mini-forest, keep in mind this is a long-term commitment. Trees live many decades when they're healthy. Learn how to plant a tree before you shop — whether you're planting deciduous tree saplings, evergreens, or more mature trees.

Although trees framing a house may look picturesque, you should research the specifics of those trees before you plant them. Consider how deep the taproots go, the full-grown size of the trees you want, and how far the root ball extends outward. Plant your trees far from plumbing pipes, as their strong roots will seek water and creep into piping to get it. As majestic as trees are, it's important to also consider how and where they'd fall if a major storm or disease weakened them.

If you've researched and planned, found trees you love, and know the perfect places to put them, get planting. That way, you can enjoy natural shade and the soothing sound of leaves rustling in the breeze sooner rather than later.

Find Your Summertime Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes gardening, relaxing, or finishing those outdoor DIY projects, we've got what you need to keep your days flowing with ease. Make the most of these lengthy evenings and early mornings to enjoy all the season has to offer. Shop online at your leisure, on our app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Four Points - W Austin nursery.