Summer is a good time to upgrade your hardscaping:  Install new walkways, patios and decks, build walls, and correct water erosion and flooding problems.

There are many shrubs that offer summer color including Hydrangea, Butterfly Bush, Spirea, Purple Smoke Bush, Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus), Crape myrtle, Weigela, and of course Roses.

Finish pruning and feeding your shrubs by the end of the month.  (See June for details!)

This is the month it is very important to stay on top of weeds.  Gently pull out the weeds with the roots intact while they are still young, preferably after a rain when the soil is moist.  Weeds that are left to flower and go to seed will multiply rapidly in future years. Weeds can also be sprayed with a weed chemical, but be careful not to spray your good plants.  (If some spray gets on a good plant wash it off at once with a watering can.)

Make sure you give the garden a good watering before you go away on vacation!

Lawns should be cut at 3″-4″ high from now until Labor day.  Lawns should either not be watered at all, or water deeply in the early morning 2-3 times a week with a circulating sprinkler.  Watch out for insect damage particularly in areas which face into the full afternoon sun.

Putting up Japanese Beetle traps can help in reducing grubs in lawns, as well as cutting down on damage to shrubs and flowers.

Continue to tip prune your Mums and Asters every 2 weeks until mid August. Also cut off the dead flowers from perennials as they finish blooming. This will keep the garden looking tidy and encourages extra flowering.

Plant seeds of carrots starting July 4th, and Beets and Swiss Chards in the third week of July.

Use your hose to sharply spray Alberta Spruces a few times a week to discourage spider mites. You can also do the same to Pieris to discourage Lacebug.  Inspect Azaleas carefully for insects, you will have to use insecticides if you get a bad infestation. This normally will only occur when Azaleas are planted in large quantities, and are stressed by lack of water, or are in the full sun.

Bulbs that add color to your garden in the early spring need to be planted in November.  The best bulbs can be custom imported directly from Holland, but the orders need to be placed by Labor Day!

Call Creative Landscapes today at 6105-565-9910 to meet with a professional Landscape Designer to plan all your landscaping projects!