
During the dog days of summer, there's plenty to do in the garden. With a bit of planning, you can make the best use of your time by prioritizing what needs to be done. Schedule regular time to check off those chores on your to-do list so that you don't get overwhelmed. And don't forget to stop and smell the roses! Grill up some dinner, invite friends, relax and enjoy your outdoor oasis.
Be waterwise
Mulch beds with organic matter to suppress weeds and help retain moisture. Use drip irrigation when possible, and water early or late in the day—particularly when using sprinklers or watering wands—to minimize evaporation. For more ideas on how to make your garden more water efficient, check out these water wise articles.
Keep cool
Think of ways to cool off your yard. Plants are nature's own air conditioner; areas under trees can be up to 20 degrees cooler than adjacent sunny spots. Plant a tree to shade the patio or deck, and locate benches and chairs underneath existing trees. Place a fountain, pool or small portable water feature near your patio for a cooling evaporation effect, and the soothing sound of moving water. Build an arbor and plant quick-growing vines at the base, or install a shade cloth. For more ideas, read: 5 Tips on Comfortable Outdoor Entertaining.
Add colorful containers
Keep annual containers looking their best with regular watering, fertilizing and deadheading. In mid-summer, cut back trailing annuals such as petunias and million bells by half and give regular feedings of water-soluble bloom booster fertilizer for a new flush of color. Replace tired-looking plants with new ones for an updated look. Move containers into mixed borders where there are holes or gaps for an element of surprise. Find out more on how to jazz up your garden with containers.
Mix it up
Don't be afraid to combine edibles with ornamentals. Different colored lettuces make attractive edging along a pathway. Dinosaur (‘Lacinato’) kale, with its pale blue leaves, can be planted in containers and combined with annuals for a showy look. Nasturtiums, with edible flowers that liven up green salads, can be used as container accents, in raised beds, or climbing up a trellis. Get more inspiration on edible gardens that are both beautiful and functional.
Use edibles as ornamental accents
Many new varieties of fruits and vegetables have been bred to perform well in containers, making them a great choice for small decks or patios. BrazelBerries® raspberries or blueberries are attractive on their own, but can also be planted in colorful ceramic pots or combined with annuals such as trailing nasturtiums for an extra splash of color. For more on growing edibles in containers, read: Urban Edibles for Rooftop Gardens.
Freshen the deck
Hose down patio and deck areas occasionally, and wipe dust from patio furniture with a damp cloth. Switch out pillows or cushions, and move containers around for an updated look. Cut fresh flowers from the garden and arrange them in vases around your patio for an extra pop of color, and to enjoy your homegrown flowers up close. Get more outdoor living design ideas.
Keep pollinators happy
Insects and hummingbirds are crucial for pollination of edibles and other plants. Include a selection of native plants that will bloom over the growing season to attract a diversity of wildlife. Check with your local extension service or nursery to find out which varieties are most suitable to your area. Annual sunflowers and zinnias, or specialty wildflower mixes, are quick-growing options for new gardens or edible beds. Check out a garden that supports wildlife: A Naturalistic Garden Welcomes the Birds & the Bees.
Take note
Now's the time to assess the garden. Make a list of what needs to be divided or replaced, and take a few snapshots on your phone as a visual reminder. Note if a plant is too big or small for a particular spot, and when you see varieties that might work better together. Fall and spring are the best times to move plants around, when the weather is cooler. Get more ideas on designing a border.
Think big
While the weather is good, tackle major projects, such as laying pavement for a new patio, building a pond or path, installing a new fence, or addressing drainage issues. Whether you plan to do it yourself, or hire a professional, do your research to make sure your project is compatible with your home and outdoor needs, meets any local building codes, and comes in on budget. Houzz and Pinterest are great sources for information, including materials, designers, and innovative ideas. Get additional landscape design inspiration.
Seek out inspiration
Visit botanical gardens and public parks, or participate in local garden tours for new design ideas and inspiration. Take photos—with permission—of particular areas that you like, or of plant combinations to try in your own yard. Document favorite hardscape materials such as pavers, gravel, trellises or furniture, and ask the homeowner if they know of a source. For ideas on public gardens to visit, check out these destinations.




What you’ve written here speaks not just to the mind, but to the heart as well.
**mindvault**
mindvault is a premium cognitive support formula created for adults 45+. It’s thoughtfully designed to help maintain clear thinking
**breathe**
breathe is a plant-powered tincture crafted to promote lung performance and enhance your breathing quality.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article. https://www.binance.com/pt-BR/register?ref=GJY4VW8W
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Hooking up with mmlivebigo. Heard good things about the community. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype! Maybe find some new friends: mmlivebigo
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://accounts.binance.com/en-NG/register-person?ref=YY80CKRN
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Hey all. I just wanted to find some new slots and found hotlucky7s to scratch that itch. Games are mostly alright. It’s good for a casual distraction hotlucky7s.
Reading your article helped me a lot and I agree with you. But I still have some doubts, can you clarify for me? I’ll keep an eye out for your answers. https://accounts.binance.info/it/register-person?ref=P9L9FQKY
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion on the topic of this paragraph here at this blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Hey all! Tried b9game the other day and had a blast. Some cool games there for sure, plenty to choose from. Worth a look! b9game.
I’ll immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can not to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me recognise so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
I found the information layout clean and intuitive, which made the experience feel reassuring from the start. The mention of a legal online pharmacy cialis option added a sense of trust and clarity to the process. Everything unfolded smoothly and left me with a positive overall impression.
Playtime PH download? Alright, let’s give it a whirl. Hope it’s got some good features for us Pinoys! playtime ph download
Heard some buddies talking about 639 jili. Apparently they got some good bonuses goin’ on. Think I’ll drop by and see what’s up myself. Take a peek! 639 jili
Looking for the bdg game download? Found a reliable link on their site. Game is fun and doesn’t lag. check it out at bdg game download
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Excellent blog post. I certainly appreciate this site. Keep writing!
I all the time used to study article in news papers but now as I am a user of net so from now I am using net for posts, thanks to web.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://accounts.binance.com/en/register-person?ref=JHQQKNKN
Ahaa, its pleasant dialogue concerning this article at this place at this web site, I have read all that, so now me also commenting at this place.
Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Great choice of colors!
I will right away take hold of your rss as I can’t to find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks! https://accounts.binance.com/register-person?ref=IXBIAFVY
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
Wonderful work! That is the type of information that are supposed to be shared across the internet. Disgrace on Google for now not positioning this submit upper! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thanks =)
I’ll right away seize your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
I am sure this piece of writing has touched all the internet viewers, its really really fastidious post on building up new website.
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks! https://accounts.binance.info/register-person?ref=IHJUI7TF
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://accounts.binance.info/zh-TC/register-person?ref=DCKLL1YD
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks! https://accounts.binance.info/ru-UA/register-person?ref=JVDCDCK4
Wow, this paragraph is good, my younger sister is analyzing these kinds of things, therefore I am going to inform her.
I quite like reading through a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment!
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Ahaa, its fastidious discussion regarding this article here at this webpage, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
Thanks for helping out, good info.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and reporting! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.
Ahaa, its nice conversation on the topic of this piece of writing at this place at this webpage, I have read all that, so now me also commenting here.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
I need to to thank you for this very good read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff you
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Great choice of colors!
We’ve tested our robux generator for multiple weeks earlier than launch, and we will guarantee it’ll work.
I am sure this paragraph has touched all the internet users, its really really nice paragraph on building up new blog.
These are in fact great ideas in about blogging. You have touched some pleasant points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the wonderful works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.
Hello everybody, here every person is sharing these familiarity, thus it’s nice to read this web site, and I used to go to see this web site everyday.
I will right away clutch your rss as I can not to find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me recognize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up and also the rest of the site is also very good.
Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://www.binance.com/register?ref=IXBIAFVY
[…] viagra professional 100 mg […]