It’s hot…believe us, we know! Have you been able to stay outside long enough to check on your landscaping? Here are some tips from Omaha Landscaping Company on how to properly care for your landscape in extreme heat.

Caring for Annuals, Perennials, and Your (Beloved) Vegetable Garden 

You have probably spent hours planting beautiful flowers and a growing a vegetable garden fit for a MasterChef. You don’t want all that time to go to waste, do you? 

While it may appear like your tomato plant is thriving in extreme heat, it’s not. Although tomatoes plants grow quickly in high temperatures, the plant is not supposed to grow so quickly. Thus, this rapid growth and persistent temperatures over 90 degrees may deteriorate these vegetables. So, just as you should do with your annuals and perennials, keep the soil moist and cool. 

Water your garden early in the morning to ensure that the water will reach the roots and to avoid any excess water that may attract critters. 

Don’t Forget About Your Shrubs and Trees

We can’t say enough about the importance of mulch. Mulch prevents the quick evaporation of moisture, so your plants actually have time to use the water you braved the heat to provide to them. Placing at least 3 inches of mulch around your plants will insure that your plants remain soaked for longer periods of time. 

Pro Tip: Water in the morning hours by placing a hose near the base of the tree or shrub and running it at a slow trickle for several hours. (check out our trees)

Lawn care in Extreme Heat 

Is your lawn starting to lose some life? In the Omaha heat, you can either choose to stop watering and allow your lawn to go dormant or water twice weekly to keep your lawn alive and growing. 

Our suggestion: put in the time now. If you choose to allow your lawn to go dormant you will need to wait until cooler temperatures return before bringing your lawn back to life. This may severely impact the curb appeal of your home, increase the presence of weeds, and cost far more time and money than would keeping your lawn alive throughout the summer heat. 

Another important note: avoid fertilizing. Fertilizing is one of the worst things you can do to your plants during the long summer months. The chemicals in fertilizer can be altered in hot temperatures and can quickly kill your lawn.

With landscaping taking a turn towards more modern designs, succulents have become some of the most popular plants in 2017, both for their beauty and minimal maintenance. But growing plants intended for desert climates in Omaha may prove to be a challenge.

Omaha and its surrounding areas exist in Zone 5 on the U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zone Map. The zones in the U.S. are classified on the basis of their temperatures in winter-the coldest of winter temperatures in Zone 5 may reach anywhere between -20 and -10 F. While it may seem strange that a desert plant can survive in such conditions, we are happy to tell you that with the right care you can have an entire yard filled with thriving succulents.

The key to growing succulents in Nebraska is thorough preparation and careful selection of plants. Hardy succulents, which are those that originate in northern climates and do best with some cold winter weather for a dormant period, are the best option for the longevity of your investment.

Some succulents we have seen thrive in Omaha? Agave, Jovibarba, Ice Plant, Sempervivium, and Sedum. Everyday, we are learning more and more about these popular plants and are seeing more clients express their want to include them in their landscaping. Contact us today to receive professional advice on adding these unique plants to your yard!