Summer Landscape Maintenance Checklist

Summer in Central Texas brings intense heat and often drought conditions, making proper landscape maintenance crucial for plant survival and beauty. This checklist will help you maintain a healthy, attractive landscape throughout the challenging summer months.

Watering Schedule

Adjust your irrigation schedule for summer conditions. Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and fungal diseases. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep root growth and drought tolerance. Monitor soil moisture and adjust based on rainfall.

Lawn Care

Raise your mower height to 3-4 inches to shade the soil and reduce water loss. Mow regularly but avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at once. Apply summer fertilizer according to your grass type and local recommendations.

Plant Maintenance

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Remove any diseased or damaged plant material promptly. Prune summer-flowering shrubs after they finish blooming to maintain shape and encourage next year's flowers.

Pest and Disease Management

Monitor plants for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection and treatment prevent problems from spreading. Use integrated pest management techniques, starting with the least toxic solutions and escalating only if necessary.

Heat Protection

Provide shade for sensitive plants using shade cloth or temporary structures. Mulch around plants to keep soil cool and reduce evaporation. Consider container plants that can be moved to shadier locations during extreme heat.