Colorado has been going through a record-breaking heatwave this year. While hot and dry summers are nothing new around Denver, temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit are becoming the norm. It’s no surprise that gardens and yards around the state are struggling.
While you can get inside and enjoy the air conditioning, your plants can’t. However, you can still do plenty of things to make conditions a little more friendly for your favorite lawn and garden plants. These three tips can help keep your yard beautiful even in the heat.
1. Water Appropriately
For most plants used in Colorado landscapes, heat alone isn’t the problem. If you worked with experienced local landscapers, your yard and garden should be filled with heat-tolerant varieties. However, even species that love high temperatures still need appropriate watering, or they can get scorched.
That doesn’t mean watering everything with a hose three times a day. Depending on where you live, that may not even be permitted during drought conditions. Instead, water strategically. The best times to water are first thing in the morning and evening. Morning watering ensures there’s moisture available to your plants as the day heats up. Meanwhile, evening watering allows them to recover after long, hot, dry days.
An effective way to manage your watering schedule is to install drip sprinkler systems on a timer. These systems waste less water, keeping your bills down. Meanwhile, the timer lets you set and forget the schedule, keeping your plants looking good without constant attention.
2. Provide Shade for Delicate Plants
Shade can be invaluable for protecting more fragile specimens. If you have annuals or other high-maintenance species, temporary shade structures can make all the difference if there’s still plenty of airflow. If you have potted flowers, consider moving them to shadier spots until the temperatures drop.
You can also make things easier next year by planting less hardy species toward the low end of their light tolerance. Planting flowers along the north and east sides of your home or underneath trees will keep them naturally shaded during the worst heat waves.
3. Consider Replacing Struggling Plants With Heat-Tolerant Xeriscapes
If you’ve already lost some plants, or if they’re just not looking their best due to the heat, consider updating your landscape to a Colorado xeriscape. These alternatives to traditional landscapes use native species and natural substances to create beautiful, heat-tolerant spaces. You can work with an experienced local landscape designer to design a yard that fits your aesthetic and functional preferences while reducing maintenance demands during heat waves.
Heat-Proof Your Yard With Hall Landscape Contractors
Stop struggling with constant yard maintenance and watering. Instead, talk to the skilled designers at Hall Landscape Contractors about updating your yard. Whether you want to replace struggling plants, install a new sprinkler system, or turn your yard into a true xeriscape, we can help. Get your landscaping quote today.