Helping your landscape through the summer heat

This is not our first hot summer day, and it won't be the last. Our plants and trees suffer right along with us in the heat. Here are a few things to look for and a couple of tips to help your landscape through this heat.

• Leaves can become sunburned.

If you have containers, move them to a shadier spot if you can. For shrubs and perennials, you should wait until fall to transplant.

• The strong summer sun on young tree trunks can cause sun scald. This can weaken the tree and lead to disease problems. Protect the young trees with tree wrap.

• Trees will tell you when they need water....the leaves begin to wilt. Of course, it's not a good idea to wait until the tree is in this condition. Be proactive. Water deeply - a depth of 3' for trees, 2' for shrubs, and one foot for groundcover.

Besides watering regularly, what else can you do?

• Mulch. Hardwood mulch around shrubs, trees, perennials, and flowers will help retain the soil moisture and maintain cooler soil temperatures
• Drip Irrigation. Not only can drip irrigation lines run through plant beds and around trees, but you can also have those beautiful container gardens watered using drip irrigation.

One last note: Lawns are difficult to maintain in the high summer heat. Lawns need longer, slower watering. This helps to create healthy root systems. Plus, avoid the use of pellet-type fertilizers. This could cause chemical burning. Last, but not least, set the mower higher. Give the lawn a chance to "shade" itself.