Summer Heat in St. Louis is a Danger to People and Plants

The dog days of summer in St. Louis and throughout the entire Midwest can really put a beating on both people and outdoor plants alike.

Heat-related illness can strike suddenly and is serious business, so taking care of yourself, loved ones and pets is always a first priority. The combination of high heat and humidity can be a major health threat during the summer months. If you spend any significant length of time outdoors – working in your lawn or on your landscaping, or doing ANYTHING – be sure to drink small amounts of water continuously to stay hydrated, wear light-colored and loose fitting clothes, and take frequent short breaks in the cool shade.

Your lawn, garden and other landscaping can struggle in this intense heat, too – fading brilliant colors and leaving lush, healthy foliage looking dull and listless. And if the high temperatures are paired with dry conditions or drought (which thankfully hasn’t been a problem this year), you can end up with dead plants and grass.

Luckily, there are plenty of plants available that thrive in the heat, allowing you to create a landscape that will remain beautiful even during the hottest season of the year.

Of course, there are other requirements to consider as well, such as how much sunlight each area of your property gets, and how large or small the space is. At Environmental Landscaping we have many decades of combined experience working outdoors in the St. Louis region, and can give you our expert opinion to find the best hot weather solutions for YOUR specific property.

But with a huge selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials including many heat-resistant varieties from which to choose, you’ll find whatever you need to fill every corner of your garden and yard.

WATERING YOUR PLANTS ND LAWN

Next, watering your plants is always important, but becomes critical when the temperatures go extreme.

Here are some helpful tips for gardening in particularly hot, dry climates:

• Water with a drip system whenever possible — soak the bed slowly and thoroughly to a depth of 10 to 12 inches.
• Watering deeply every 3 to 5 days is preferable to a shallow daily watering.
• Water in the early morning, so foliage has time to dry.
• Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch or similar material to aid in water retention and help keep the roots cool during hot weather.
• Leave your grass a bit longer during the hottest months too, which makes it less likely to get scorched.

From Ballwin and Manchester, Oakville and Lindbergh, Chesterfield and Creve Coeur, Jefferson County and back again – we are YOUR hometown landscaping experts.

Call us today at (636) 225-3848 or contact us via email at tc@envlandscaping.com today to learn more St. Louis landscaping tips or when it’s time to do something special in your outdoor spaces. Not only do we install trees and plants of all types, we also make walkways and patios, decks and lounge areas, install low voltage outdoor lighting and much more.

We look forward to hearing from you soon,

Tory Catanzaro