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How to Prepare Your Landscape for a Texas Summer

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October 16, 2023

Texas summers are scorching, and your landscape feels it just as much as you do. Without the right prep, lawns brown out, plants wilt, and your outdoor space can turn from lush to lifeless fast.

Luckily, with a little foresight, you can beat the heat and keep your yard thriving.

At Salas Outdoors, we help homeowners prepare their landscapes for Texas summers—here’s how you can get ahead of the sun.

1. Audit Your Irrigation System

Before temps hit triple digits, make sure your watering system is ready.

What to check:

  • Leaks or cracked drip lines
  • Broken sprinkler heads
  • Controller programming for early-morning watering
  • Zones getting even coverage

2. Add a Layer of Fresh Mulch

Mulch isn’t just decorative—it’s a heat shield for your plants.

Benefits of summer mulching:

  • Retains soil moisture
  • Keeps roots cool
  • Reduces weed growth
  • Improves soil health over time

✅ Our team applies premium mulch that protects and nourishes your landscape through the hottest months.

3. Switch to Drought-Tolerant Plants

Now is the time to plant heat-tolerant perennials and natives that thrive in Texas soil.

Great options include:

  • Lantana
  • Sage
  • Yarrow
  • Agave
  • Mexican Feather Grass

✅ Salas Outdoors can help you choose the perfect drought-resistant plants for a low-maintenance, colorful summer yard.

4. Water Wisely and Strategically

Watering deeply and infrequently encourages strong root systems that withstand heat.

Smart watering tips:

  • Water early in the morning before 9 a.m.
  • Avoid evening watering (promotes mildew)
  • Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to reduce evaporation
  • Stick to 2–3 times per week, unless restricted by local ordinances

✅ We install automated systems that do the hard work for you and save water over time.

5. Mow at the Right Height

Cutting your grass too short in summer weakens it.

Ideal summer mowing height:

  • St. Augustine: 3–4 inches
  • Bermuda: 2–2.5 inches
  • Zoysia: 1–2.5 inches

✅ Our lawn maintenance services ensure your grass stays healthy and properly trimmed, even in extreme heat.

6. Shade and Protect Vulnerable Plants

If you have delicate flowers or young shrubs, consider temporary shading.

Options include:

  • Shade cloths
  • Patio umbrellas
  • Moving potted plants to cooler spots

✅ We can help design strategic shade solutions with trees, pergolas, or privacy structures that look great year-round.

7. Install Heat-Tough Hardscaping

Gravel, pavers, and stone walkways require zero watering and don’t suffer from sun exposure.

Hardscape benefits:

  • Durable in high heat
  • No mowing or trimming
  • Reduces lawn size and upkeep

✅ Salas Outdoors blends hardscape elements into your landscape for maximum resilience and style.

8. Watch for Pests and Disease

Hot, dry weather attracts aphids, spider mites, and fungal issues.

Stay alert for:

  • Yellowing leaves
  • Sticky residue on plants
  • Leaf holes or webbing

✅ We provide plant health care services to protect your investment and keep everything thriving.

Reach out now to get your landscape summer-ready before the real heat hits.