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Summer strategies around the yard

As we move into the peak of summertime sun and heat, we would like to offer a few suggestions to keep your landscaping healthy and attractive. Smart watering plays a vital role in sustaining your property’s success and conserving natural resources, and Gerbert & Sons’ irrigation specialists will adjust and maintain your system to ensure it is operating efficiently and effectively. Container gardens may need extra attention and watering if the heat becomes extreme or extended, with morning being the best time of day for minimum loss due to evaporation. And just like our yards, we need to keep ourselves and our pets adequately hydrated during these hot months to stay healthy. Certain soil types and plantings may require fertilization as recommended for this time of year. Consider adding heat loving annuals to your landscape, and reduce the harshness of the sun’s rays with a pergola, sun sail, or with a perfectly placed shade tree.

Consider adding decorative ground cover

For areas of your yard where grass is not viable or for difficult steep slopes, attractive ground covers offer a great solution to fill in these problem areas. Before planting, one of our horticultural experts will determine the best species for your property based on the amount of available sun, soil conditions and moisture, and individual growing patterns. Ground cover varieties range from slow growing and controllable species, to more steadily growing plants, to almost invasive options that should be avoided in residential settings. A few shade-tolerant types that can be easily controlled are creeping phlox and woodland phlox, and candytuft for sunnier spots. Pachysandra is another choice for shady areas, but requires more attention to keep under control by pulling out underground stems as they begin to spread. Adding an underlying bed of contrasting stones or decorative pavers will highlight this attractive and easy to care for area of your landscape.

Give Gerbert & Sons a call at (203) 324-3817 to explore these and other summertime property solutions.