We’re in the midst of the “Dog Days of Summer” here in Western North Carolina. That’s right, the hottest time of year is upon us, so what does that mean for your garden? The sun is a constant threat, although we’ve been experiencing quite a bit of rain the last few weeks. The best times to garden are in the early morning or the late afternoon before the sun rises the temperature, meaning that for many of us that really leaves only the weekend to tend to our gardens. We’ve got a few tips for you to consider for your gardens during August to help them continue to flourish even in the heat!

We talked a little bit about the importance of lawn preparation. Preparing your lawn for next summer might seem premature, but healthy aerating and seeding now can make all the difference come summer 2018. So to reinforce, prepare your grass for fall seeding and planting by removing weeds and ordering seeds now if necessary, aerate your lawn and turn your mower blade on the highest setting. Parts of your lawn might turn brown this type of year, don’t sweat it.

If you have specialized in growing various herbs this summer such as rosemary, basil or mint now is the time to cut them and freeze them to store during the winter. You might have seen the frozen blocks of basil at grocery stores such as Trader Joes, but there is no reason to pay for it if you’ve got it flourishing in your backyard!

Now is the time to place orders for trees or shrubs you want to plant in the fall. Don’t procrastinate. And if you want some seasonal color but don’t want to deal with the hassle of planning your landscape, give TPS Landscaping a call. We are always willing to set up an appointment and help to design your perfect planter. Leave the job to us!