Enjoying the Garden

How can you protect your investment in old and new landscaping from the extremes of summer weather or damage? Here are some landscaping and gardening tips:

• Check your homeowners policy to see what, if any, coverage it has for landscaping.
• Install a sprinkler system to help new lawns and landscaping become established.
• Save your receipts when planting new landscaping. Most nurseries guarantee their plants up to a year after purchase--especially if they put them in the ground. Some nurseries will provide more limited guarantees if you plant them yourself.
• Keep grass long--2 and 1/2 to 3 inches long--to protect the roots during dry spells.
• Fertilize your grass and shrubbery on a regular basis.
• Protect your plants or new lawn while on vacation by using soaker hoses or timers attached to outside faucets to water at regular intervals while you are away. Or arrange for a neighbor to water periodically.
• Seek out insect and disease resistant plants when planning new landscaping.
• Investigate native plants for your garden. They are hardy and have become very popular for new gardens.
• Hire an expert from a nursery to create a landscape plan for new projects. Many nurseries will apply the the expert's fee to your total plant bill.
• Make sure any chance of frost has passed before you plant delicate seedlings into your flower or vegetable gardens. Nurseries carry valuable information about planting zones.
• Inspect garden edging and paving.
• Make sure your outdoor power equipment such as blowers, chain saws, riding mowers and power edgers are in good working order and stored away from children.

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