Thriving Lawns, Smarter Summers

When warm weather hits the Bruce Peninsula, it’s time to give your outdoor spaces some extra care. Summer landscaping isn’t just about making things look pretty; it’s also about protecting your investment, improving property value, and creating outdoor areas where you actually want to spend time. Whether you're focused on lawn care or garden updates, the following warm-weather landscaping tips will help you keep your property looking fresh and functional.

Water Smart, Not Hard

In summer, it's easy to overwater or water at the wrong times. The best time of day to water your lawn during the summer months is early in the morning, typically between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. The lawn should be watered for about 30 minutes, two or three times per week. The next-best time to water your lawn in summer is between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. That's for homeowners who don't have an automatic irrigation system and need to manually operate and move the sprinkler [Lee Wallender, 2025]. This reduces water loss due to evaporation and gives plants time to soak it up before the heat peaks. 

Avoid watering at night, as late evening doesn't give the grass enough time to dry, leaving it vulnerable to fungal disease [How to Water Your Lawn Properly and Effectively, n.d.].

Mow Like a Pro

Your lawn needs proper mowing to thrive in hot conditions. During the hot summer months, you should generally mow your lawn every 7 to 10 days. However, during periods of extreme drought, you should wait around 10 to 14 days to mow [How often should you Mow your Lawn?, 2024].

When trimming your lawn (part of the mowing process), match the higher mowing height. Avoid cutting too low, as it stresses the grass. Keep your grass a bit longer, at a height of 3-4 inches. This height ensures sufficient moisture retention, even without additional watering. A slightly taller lawn provides shade, protects against heat stress, and reduces moisture loss [Lawn Mowing Tips During Summers in Canada, 2024]. 

Mulch Magic

Mulch is one of the easiest ways to improve your landscape while saving water. Water retention is everything right now. Mulch acts like a natural shield. A fresh layer helps lock in moisture by slowing down evaporation and keeping the soil cooler underneath. When the sun is beating down and sprinklers are limited, mulch ensures that the water you do use actually stays put—so you don’t have to water as often [Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Top Up your Garden Mulch, 2025].

But as “it keeps the soil cooler, slows evaporation during hot spells, and prevents weeds from taking over, just be mindful of using lighter colors or organic mulch to avoid overheating the soil," says Betz [Buiano & Mattia, 2025].

Plant With Purpose

Planting new plants keeps your garden looking vibrant all summer. Just always consider how they’ll perform in warm weather. One of the best chances at success when planting in summer is to purchase plants that have hardy characteristics, like drought and heat tolerance, salt tolerance, etc. In my garden, these include coreopsis, catmint, lavender, and sedum. Native plants will have adapted to the environmental conditions of your region.  One caution is that you may want to avoid planting perennials in a period of drought. Even drought-resistant plants  need regular water to become established. 

Another benefit of planting in the summer months is that it allows you to better identify the empty spaces that need to be filled in a garden. Most of your plants are likely in full bloom by this point, or they have leafed out and reached their full size, like a hosta. This makes it easier than the spring to figure out spacing [Nolan, n.d.].

Pest Patrol

Summertime and the livin’ is easy. But when temperatures rise, pest activity increases as well, so it’s important to be extra vigilant about control in summertime, when pests are at their peak [Summer is peak season for pests in your home, n.d.]. Common pests such as ants, mosquitoes, and flies are highly active during this time, seeking out food and breeding grounds. The warm temperatures and increased humidity provide optimal conditions for their growth and reproduction [Choudhry, n.d.].

To keep pests away, clean gutters and remove debris like leaves and woodpiles that attract bugs. Cover vents with fine mesh to block entry, and use natural repellents like peppermint or vinegar near doors. Water your lawn early to avoid evening moisture, and plant herbs like mint, basil, and lemongrass near seating areas [Top 5 Summer Pests and How to Exterminate Them, 2025].

And-Rod Construction Summer Solutions

Summer in the Bruce Peninsula is beautiful, and your landscape should be too. Consistency is the key, so try setting up a simple weekly routine: mow the lawn, water deeply, deadhead flowers, pull weeds, sweep walkways, and check for pests or dry spots. With regular care and smart planning, your lawn stays healthy, your gardens thrive, and your outdoor spaces stay clean and comfortable. For expert support, trust And-Rod Construction Landscaping & Gardening—your team for the Bruce Peninsula's landscape maintenance.

Cited Works:

Buiano, M., & Mattia, N. (2025, February 18). The Best Time to Mulch You Garden—and When You Shouldn't, According to Experts. Martha Stewart. https://www.marthastewart.com/1537779/right-time-mulch-garden-explained

Choudhry, N. (n.d.). The Impact of Seasonal Changes on Pest Control in Toronto. GTA Toronto Pest Control. https://www.gtatorontopestcontrol.ca/the-impact-of-seasonal-changes-on-pest-control-in-toronto/

How often should you Mow your Lawn?. (2024, March 01). Lawn Man. https://www.lawnman.ca/2024/03/how-often-should-you-mow-your-lawn/

How to Water Your Lawn Properly and Effectively. (n.d.). Scotts. https://scotts.com/en-ca/how-to-care%2Fmaintain/how-to-water-your-lawn-properly-and-effectively.html

Lawn Mowing Tips During Summers in Canada. (2024. July 19). Yardly. https://www.yardly.ca/blog/lawn-mowing-tips-during-summer-in-canada/

Nolan, T. (n.d.). Planting in summer? Tips to help freshly planted perennials flourish in the heat. Savvy Gardening. https://savvygardening.com/planting-in-summer/

Summer is peak season for pests in your home. (n.d.). Orkin Canada. https://www.orkincanada.ca/residential/advice/summer/

Top 5 Summer Pests and How to Exterminate Them. (2025, June 23). Pestend Pest Control Toronto. https://www.pestend.ca/top-summer-pests-elimination/

Wallender, L. (2025, July 29). Is Watering Your Lawn in Summer a Waste of Money? We Asked Lawn Pros. The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/should-you-water-your-lawn-in-summer-11773327

Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Top Up your Garden Mulch. (2025, July 22). T & R Contracting. https://www.tandrcontracting.ca/why-summer-is-the-perfect-time-to-top-up-your-garden-mulch/