The Home Depot 4th of July Sale
Bring on the Fourth with a yard that's dressed to impress. Our big 4th of July Sale can help you get it done. Let your great outdoors help you enjoy the festivities with your family and friends. That gas grill you've been wanting can help you keep everyone fed. Set up new patio furniture to give everyone room to kick back and relax. Save now and use these outdoor living favorites for years of cookouts to come.
As we stretch into summer, your garden and landscaping will weather more heat and sun than earlier in the season. You'll need to consider how to keep things cool. You might also need ways to beat the heat. We've got advice to help you, your garden, and your lawn make it through the hotter months.
Grow a Healthy Lawn
If you're concerned that your lawn has dried-out and brown blades of grass, don't worry just yet. It's possible that you've got a cool season grass that's going to go dormant and turn brown in the blazing summer sun. If that's the case, it won't be a patchy brown, but brown all over. See if the roots are alive by tugging on a blade of grass: If it comes right out, the grass is likely dead and will need to be replaced with new grass seed or sod. If it doesn't come right out, it's dormant. That means it's growing and resting beneath the surface. Dormant grass should be watered deeply once or twice a week — if it doesn't rain — but don't fertilize it.
Warm-season grass stays green in the summer. If you have this kind of lawn, water it deeply once a week. Give it another drink every day or two, depending on your weather. Be careful not to overwater, and let the lawn dry out after heavy rains before you get out the sprinkler or hose again. If it's especially hot out, water when the top two inches of soil is dry to the touch. It's ok to let it grow a little taller this time of the year, as cutting it too short isn't healthy for this kind of lawn.
Watch Your Garden Thrive
Water your garden to keep it alive between rainstorms. A general rule when watering plants is to aim the water at the roots. A garden hose, drip irrigation system, or sprinkler can get the job done. The blooms themselves don't need to be watered or even misted. Many flowers droop and wilt when they get wet, but they'll recover just fine once they dry off. Succulents are the exception to basic watering rules, so look up your specific types of succulents to optimize their care.
In addition to watering, keep an eye on the nutrients your plants are getting. Add fertilizer as recommended. We've even got fertilizers to match the plants you're growing so they'll get the proper nutrients.
Grow Your Own Herbs
For savory flavors to accent your homegrown produce, try herb gardening. They're generally low-maintenance. It's easy to learn how to grow herbs indoors, but you can raise herbs outdoors, too. If you grow herbs outdoors, stick to heat-loving herbs that'll endure the summer temperatures, and consider a hanging herb garden.
Planting herbs in the ground can be tricky, as many of them — especially mint — are invasive and will take over your yard. So keep them in small decorative pots on a sunny porch, window sill, or even in wall planters. Herbs also work well in a hydroponic garden, which means they don't grow in soil. Instead, they grow in a mixture of perlite, rock chips, or sand.
Vines as Decorative Shade
Plant vines near an arched arbor or trellis so they'll climb the structure and give you both shade and beauty. Viney plants that are native to your area are a good choice for success and attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Grape vines are a classic choice, but they take time to mature, so you'll enjoy dappled shade but no grapes for a few years. Remember to match your vine plants to how much sunshine you receive, as not all of them thrive in full sun. As a bonus, many vines put out sweet-smelling flowers with a delightful fragrance you can enjoy as you cool off in the shade.
Find Your Summertime Lawn Care Supplies Today
No matter if your perfect summer includes grilling, relaxing, gardening, or completing outdoor DIY projects, we've got the supplies you need to keep your days flowing with ease. Make the most of these early mornings and lengthy evenings to enjoy all the season has to offer. Shop online at your leisure, on our app anywhere you like, or in the aisles of your Wesley Chapel store.
