Summer is a great time to work in the yard!

As a renter OR an owner, whether you do it yourself or hire a landscaping company to do the work, keeping up with the lawn and landscaping in a way that is easy and cost-effective will only add to your happiness with your property. Here are some ideas to get your summer planting adventure going!

Morning watering

If you are renting, find out if you are responsible for the yard or if the owner or the property manager has a landscaping company lined up. Even if someone is coming to mow, however, you should still stay on top of the watering to maintain a beautiful place.

Landscapers agree the best time to water your yard is during the early morning hours. Watering in the morning gives the roots a chance to absorb the moisture before the temperatures get so warm that the water just evaporates. Afternoon watering not only runs the risk of the moisture evaporating, but some grasses go dormant in the warmer hours, so the water winds up wasted either way. Watering in the evening hours runs the risk of damp grass breeding fungus overnight. And a good long watering every few days can be more effective than frequent light waterings.

Mowing

Regular mowing on the right settings makes a big difference in how your yard may thrive. Cutting short might reduce the frequency of mows, but it damages the grass and you can wind up with a brown yard. Mowing on a regular schedule at 2 inches to 4 inches can easily maintain a healthy yard.

Trim those shrubs

Whether you are a renter or an owner, on your own or with the help of a management company and/or a landscaping company, you’ll want to pay close attention to bushes or vines that hug your home because they can invite termites and other insects and vermin. To help prevent them from inviting unwanted critters or even interfering with a/c units or trapping moisture against the house and foundation, you’ll want to keep an eye on bushes, vines, and shrubs and make sure they are neatly trimmed.

Brighten things with flowers

If you are given the green light to plant, plant away! If there are restrictions, turn to container planting. And if you are an owner you’ll want to hear this tip for your plans! Perennials really bring the bang for the buck. Plant them once, and these beautiful and hardy plants will bloom year after year adding your touch to your home.  Perennials can also be used to control the lawn or garden border and prevent soil erosion. And when it comes to choosing your variety,  a garden can always include low-maintenance evergreens and other bushes. Shrubs like boxwood, hydrangeas, and spirea will help you build an attractive, low-maintenance garden. Living in North Texas it is also prudent to consider drought-tolerant plants that can tolerate the Texas heat, conserve water, and are low-maintenance.

Owners!

Low-maintenance landscaping and a little investment in a few key elements will keep costs low and make the property more attractive. In some cases renters will even pay more to rent a well-landscaped home. Many rental property owners, however, don’t think of landscaping as an investment but instead view it as a necessary nuisance. The reality is, though, that most tenants will expect/hope that a property be attractive. And on the flip-side, most owners will expect/hope the tenants will maintain the attractiveness of the property.

Don’t want to do all the work? You don’t have to. It’s just as easy (possibly easier) to set up a rotation with a landscaping company or to have your property manager handle landscaping (especially if your management company is also handling all other maintenance). Your property management company most likely has a standing relationship with a lawn care vendor who could give you a good price for the work. For a little extra in, you save a lot of time, energy, and effort, especially if yard work isn’t your thing.

Enjoy your beautiful yards in the summer sun!