Summers in Nashville can be brutal on your landscaping. During a season when many want to enjoy their lawn the most, it’s almost unbearable to do so thanks to the scorching heat and dry conditions. And the combo can take a toll on your plants, turf, and overall landscape design.

However, there are a few ways you can keep your home’s landscaping looking lush and vibrant all season long.

Keep It Lush and Green

There’s nothing worse than looking out over a dead, burned-up lawn. Keep your watering and mowing schedules in check to ensure your lawn stays in tip-top shape.

Watering

We’ll be the first to admit this can be tricky in the summer. With pop-up showers and storms every week, you might feel like you can push the hose to the wayside…but don’t check out so quickly!

Summer showers can be short-lived meaning your lawn isn’t getting adequate water, even when it does rain. Our recommendation for your Nashville lawn? An irrigation system with a water sensor. This piece of equipment allows your lawn to be watered as needed but shuts off during rain so no water is wasted.

And it’s not just about how often you water—it’s about how you water. Early morning is the absolute best time to water your landscape. It reduces evaporation and lets water soak down to the roots where the grass desperately needs moisture. Aim for deep watering once or twice a week rather than shallow watering daily.

Watering in the evening? We wouldn’t recommend it. The standing excess moisture overnight is a harboring ground for fungus and disease.

Mowing

Your lawn is the centerpiece of your landscape. Keeping it healthy during the summer is essential.

Allow your lawn to grow a little longer than normal to reduce stress. Setting your mower blade a little higher will easily achieve this and avoid burning your grass.

Our recommendation is to mow twice a week, unless hot and dry weather is persistent. Cutting your grass too short or too often during these times can quickly destroy your beautiful lawn.

Mulching

Mulching is one of the best things you can do to protect your landscaping from the summer sun. Using a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around your trees, shrubs, and flower beds helps retain moisture, regulate the soil, and prevent weeds. And if you want to add a polished look to your garden beds, mulching is the way to go.

Install Your Dream Features

It seems common sense, but you’ll enjoy your outdoor space much more if it’s exactly like you want it. Many don’t hesitate to invest in the interior of their home, but the outdoor space gives them pause. This is a faulty mindset for several reasons.

First off, your outdoor space is an extension of your home. You paid for that space, so make it YOURS.

Second, investing in outdoor features can add value to your home. Don’t put off creating a lawn and outdoor space that you want because you’ll get so much more use out of it when you love it.

Consider Hardscapes

Enjoying your outdoor space doesn’t always have to involve hanging out on your lawn. Clients who have a pleasant deck, patio, or sunroom in which to lounge enjoy their outdoor areas exponentially more than those who don’t. If you don’t already have an area to enjoy your yard during the heat of summer, consider installing one of these features.

Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants

When designing or updating your landscape, consider incorporating drought-tolerant plants that thrive in our hotter climate.

Native plants like black-eyed Susans, coneflowers, and yarrow are not only beautiful but can also adapt to our crazy weather, requiring less water and maintenance. They can withstand the heat and add vibrant color to your garden at the same. Talk about efficiency!

Maintaining a beautiful landscape in the heat of a Nashville summer doesn’t have to be daunting. With a little bit of TLC, your landscaping can remain a welcoming oasis even during the hottest months. At Greathouse, we believe your outdoor space and lawn should feel like an extension of your home. If you need professional help to keep it looking its best (or if you want to start fresh and create the backyard of your dreams!), our team would be more than happy to help.