Garden Center at Golden #1522

Set Up For Summertime
As we stretch into the dog days of summer, your landscaping and garden will weather more heat and sun than earlier in the year. That means you'll need to consider how to keep things cool with proper tending and irrigation. You might also need ways to beat the heat. We can help. At The Home Depot Golden 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 won't be a patchy brown, but brown everywhere. Gently pull out a blade of grass to check if it’s still got live roots: If it comes right out, the grass is likely 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 under the ground. Dormant grass should be watered deeply once or twice a week but not fertilized.

For warm-season grass that stays green in the summer, water a bit every few days and deeply once a week. The amount of water should add up to about an inch, more or less, each week. Don't overwater, and let the lawn dry out after heavy rains before you get out the hose or sprinkler again. Water your lawn when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. You can test with your finger. This might happen quicker than you'd think during periods of drought. It's fine to let it grow taller this time of the year, as cutting it too short isn't healthy for this kind of lawn.

Care for Your Trees and Shrubs
When you're watering your vegetable garden, don't forget about the trees and shrubs. They may need less watering than delicate flowers or vegetable plants, but they can still get parched and dry in the summer heat. It's not difficult to learn how to water bushes and trees — just make sure you aim the water at the roots. It'll help prolong the greenery and prevent it from turning brown or yellow. Also, check for damage on your trees and shrubs. Pests can destroy your greenery if you don't catch them in time.

Look for holes in leaves, spots on bark or leaves, or a network of raised lines on the bark. When your leaves look like lace, something is eating them. Spots may indicate a number of issues ranging from bugs to fungus. Those scar-like lines on tree bark could mean your tree is infected with borers, which are insects that lay eggs inside the bark and then burrow out after they hatch. Research and care for any of these issues as soon as possible, as they may ultimately end the life of your tree or shrub.

Grow Your Own Herbs
Get fresh flavors to accent garden-fresh vegetables when you add herbs. They're generally low-maintenance. It's easy to learn how to grow herbs indoors, but you can raise them outside, too. If you grow herbs outdoors, stick to heat-loving herbs that'll thrive in the summer temperatures, and consider a hanging herb garden. Read our herb gardening guide for beginners for details.

Planting herbs in the ground can be tricky, as many of them — especially mint — are invasive and will take over your lawn. To avoid a yard full of mint or other herbs, keep them in small plant pots on a sunny window sill, porch, or even in wall planters. Herbs also work as a hydroponic garden, which doesn't use soil. Instead, they grow in a mixture of rock chips, perlite, or sand.

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. When they're healthy, trees live many decades — and some for hundreds of years. Before you shop, plan so you know how to plant a tree — whether they're evergreens, deciduous tree saplings, 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 far the root ball extends outward, the full-grown size of the trees you want, and how deep the taproots go. Plant your trees far from water pipes, as their strong roots will seek water and wend into piping to get it. As majestic as trees are, it's important to also consider how and where they'd fall if disease or a storm weakened them.

If you've planned accordingly, 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 as soon as possible.

Find Your Summertime Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes grilling, gardening, or completing those outdoor DIY projects, we've got the supplies to keep your days flowing with ease. Make the most of 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 Golden nursery.