Summer Garden & Lawn Care Tips: Keeping Your Landscape Healthy as the Heat Rises

As summer heats up across Nova Scotia, our lawns and gardens start to feel the pressure. What was lush and green in spring can quickly become dry, wilted, and overrun with weeds if not properly maintained. At Earthcraft Landscape, we know how important it is to stay ahead of the summer heat with smart, sustainable lawn care and garden bed maintenance. Whether you're managing a large property or a small urban yard, these summer tips will help your landscape thrive all season long.

1. Water Smarter, Not Harder

It’s tempting to run the sprinkler every evening, but timing and technique make all the difference.

• Early morning is best. Water between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. to reduce evaporation and fungal growth.

• Deep, infrequent watering beats shallow, frequent watering. Aim for 1–1.5 inches per week, depending on your lawn’s needs.

• Use mulch to lock in moisture in garden beds and around shrubs. It also helps reduce weed growth and keeps roots cool.

2. Keep Weeds Under Control

Warm weather brings a wave of weed growth. Stay ahead with:

• Regular hand-weeding or hoeing in garden beds.

• Edge trimming around beds and walkways to prevent lawn grass and weeds from creeping in.

• Mulch or natural ground cover to block light from reaching weed seeds.

If left unchecked, weeds will compete with your flowers, vegetables, and lawn for nutrients and water.

3. Mow High, Mow Often

When it comes to lawn care in the summer, your mower height matters.

• Set your mower blade higher (3–3.5 inches) to shade soil, preserve moisture, and encourage deeper root growth.

• Keep your blades sharp to avoid tearing grass, which makes it more vulnerable to disease.

• Leave the clippings for a natural fertilizer boost—this is known as “grasscycling.”

4. Refresh Your Garden Beds

Summer is a great time to revitalize your planting beds.

• Deadhead flowers regularly to encourage more blooms.

• Prune shrubs and perennials to shape growth and remove damaged limbs.

• Add compost or organic fertilizer to maintain healthy soil nutrition throughout the growing season.

If your garden beds are looking tired, we can help redesign or refresh them with native plants that love Nova Scotia’s summer climate.

5. Inspect for Pests and Disease

Warm temperatures are ideal for pests and fungal diseases to spread.

• Check under leaves and along stems for early signs of aphids, powdery mildew, and beetles.

• Treat problems early with organic or integrated pest management solutions.

• Rotate your plantings where possible to prevent disease build-up in the soil.

6. Plan Ahead for Fall

It might be the middle of summer, but it’s never too early to start planning your next season.

• Think about aeration and overseeding in late summer for a stronger lawn.

• Start fall plantings of cold-tolerant veggies or perennials that bloom next year.

• Book your fall cleanup or hardscaping project early—Earthcraft’s schedule fills up fast!

Need a Hand? Let Earthcraft Landscape Help.

Whether it's maintaining your lawn, refreshing your garden beds, or designing new outdoor features, our team is here to keep your landscape beautiful, healthy, and summer-ready. We bring local experience, eco-conscious techniques, and a passion for craftsmanship to every yard we touch.

Contact us today to schedule your summer lawn and garden maintenance with Earthcraft Landscape.