As we enjoy the final hot summer days, you might wonder what to do with your garden designs in late August or early September. Hot weather can affect your landscape work. You might find it hard to complete your tasks when it is hot and dry outside. Luckily, we are here to take some of the pressure off and offer some end-of-the-summer garden ideas.

Plant some trees

Trees are one of the most essential features of a landscape. They can provide shade, improve air quality, increase property value, and even save money on energy bills. Not just this, it also offers privacy and eliminates noise pollution.

Some of the benefits of trees are:

1) Trees provide shade to people in the summer and warmth in the winter.

2) Trees offer a natural cooling system by evapotranspiration, which means evaporating water through their leaves and releasing water vapour into the atmosphere.

3) The shade from trees also helps reduce air conditioning costs by blocking direct sunlight from entering buildings.

4) Trees also help reduce noise pollution by absorbing sound waves traveling through them. Sound waves also bounce off them.

Trees are vital to any landscape as they provide protection, shade, and beauty. They also offer an essential service to the environment by providing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide and pollutants, and helping to slow erosion. That’s why adding more trees should be the first landscaping idea to be carried out at the end of summer.

It is best to plant deciduous trees like elm, oak, willow, or poplar in September because they are not in their active period during this time of the year. The soil should be moist but not wet, and planting in an area that receives a lot of sun is ideal.

Maintain hardscapes

You might not be thinking about maintaining your hardscape now, but as the winter approaches, it’s important to maintain hardscape features to ensure its longevity.

Follow the basics to maintain hardscape designs:

Basic checkup

Start with a general inspection of what’s needed to be done. Look for weeds growing between cracks and spaces, ensure no residue stains, look for damaged stones, and keep an eye on water drainage.

Weed prevention

Concrete sand is coarse sand that can be used as bedding for patio slabs or concrete pavers. The sand will fill the gaps and prevent weed growth. Some sand mixtures contain additives that, when mixed with water, expand and secure the stone slabs, encouraging further weed prevention.

Sweeping the surface and power washing

Mild rust stains, organic stains from fallen leaves, or food and drink spills can be taken care of with a spot treatment. An FSI Landscape Supply tip is to apply a simple mixture of mild dish soap and water to small areas. A more robust solution is needed if soap and water do not do the trick. Professional hardscape cleaning solutions can be used on tough and stubborn stains such as algae, moss, mold, and mildew.

Don’t let a tough stain stop you from enjoying your outdoor spaces. If the sweep and scrub solution isn’t cutting it, then consider power washing to get rid of the unwanted marks on your patio. Regardless of your method, we recommend you wash your patio at least three to four times yearly.

The need for upkeep and maintenance when it comes to natural stone is relatively low, making it a desirable landscape option for homeowners with little time to spend on their properties. Combined with the paving stone sealer ensures the longevity of the hardscape during the winter.

Patio and outdoor living designs

The outdoor living trend continues to make its way into more yard spaces. With the right design, you can have an area that is just as fun as indoors.

Patios and outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular in modern homes. They are not only used for leisure activities but also for cooking, dining, and hosting parties. These spaces can be designed to suit your needs and lifestyle with various materials and furniture. This will not just make you spend more time outdoors but also increases the appeal, ultimately improving the resale value of a home.

When designing a patio or outdoor living space, remember it should be prepared to suit your client’s needs and lifestyles. Space usage, size, and budget should be taken into consideration.

What to include in your patio and outdoor design

• outdoor furniture
• outdoor friendly textiles
• firepit
• entertainment – surround sound systems and accompanying tv screens.
• grill space for barbecue
• landscape lighting so you can enjoy the outdoor space at any time

Landscape makeover

Designing your landscape for the first time might be confusing because you have to make so many decisions. What do you want to plant? Where should they go? Bed lines and paths: should they curve or be in straight lines? How about accessories like benches, planters, and birdbaths?

When designing a space on your property, it can help if you consider it as though it were one of the rooms in your house. In doing so, many of the design principles you apply inside can be used outside too. When in doubt, professional landscapers are always there to help. Landscaping contractors and professionals have the necessary skill and knowledge, including access to high-quality landscaping supplies and materials.

Front yard additions

The front yard is often a first impression for the neighbors and passersby. It also helps to increase property value, curb appeal, and your home’s resale potential.

The front yard is the first area people visit when they arrive at your property. Due to the heavy foot traffic, it can be a makeover location. There are many opportunities to renovate, such as:

• incorporate landscape lighting
• adding fences or trees for some privacy
• adding more flowers
• add a natural stone walkway

 Back yard additions

Backyards are all about personal space. Consider incorporating the following ideas.

• Add children’s play area
• Build a luxury dog house for your cute little buddy
• Add entertainment systems to an outdoor living space and make it party ready
• Add sod and turn it into a sports or recreation area
• Make it wildlife friendly, grow vegetables or flowers to attract hummingbirds or butterflies

For all your landscaping supply needs, contact FSI Landscape Supply today!