Photo credit: Teresa Watkins, Art in Bloom Garden Tours at Niagara Falls Botanical Garden, Canada.
It’s heating up this month. I can’t remember a hotter summer. But I’m glad to live in Florida. We are lucky to live on a peninsula that is surrounded by the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean. We don’t reach 100 º. In fact, as Matt Devitt’s, weatherman at WINK, graphic shows, it’s very rare. While we may have hot temperatures, it’s been hotter around the country.
Graphic credit: Matt Devitt WINK
I have seen a lot of large patch disease in yards this summer. Large patch is caused by overwatering grass. It is a practice that is meant to be kind and attentive but it’s the worst thing a homeowner can do to their grass. That and using herbicides in this heat. Don’t.
Large Patch Disease
No matter the variety, established turfgrass only needs 1.5” a week at the most. Check your rain gauge, we have been getting enough rain in most parts of Central Florida although the South is seeing drought conditions.
How can you keep your grass unstressed in these dog-days of summer?
· Keep your grass mowed high at 3” – 4”.
· Make sure lawn mower blades are sharp.
Water deeply but infrequently. Add 15 mins to your timer 2x a week
Do not fertilize.
I have posted What to Do In Your Backyard for August. Lots of pointers, but don’t overdo. It’s too hot!
Speaking of hot times. Check out my Landscape Design Tips and Landscape Malpractice Tip #39. Both feature the same subject: Hellstrips.
My Plant of the Month is a pretty tropical with a fun name. Great for tropical gardens.
The scheduled tours for Art in Bloom Garden Tours for 2026 is up on our website. We have fantastic gardens for garden enthusiasts next year. We are just finalizing up details to ensure the best prices and services. We already have waiting lists for most of our Spring destinations, so let us know if you want to be notified before the final itinerary get posted. Email: artinbloomgardentours@gmail.com
Have lots of photos to upload from our Garden Walk Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Newport Flower Show, and will include our trip this month from Scotland.
Let us hear from you about what you are doing to stay cool this summer!
