Water Your Lawn In The Morning

This might seem like a no brainer, but it’s a key rule to follow to maximize your curb appeal and save time—lawn care professionals strongly advise against watering your lawn in the afternoon because the water will quickly evaporate. You might be tempted to you give your lawn a drink at the hottest point of the day, but it’s just a waste of time. Also, if you water your lawn in the morning, it gives the roots a chance to absorb the moisture—some grass goes “dormant” in the hotter parts of the day, so they won’t adequately take in water. And if you water at night, you run the risk of having damp grass breed fungus.

Mow Regularly

It might be appealing to cut your lawn close to the soil so you don’t have to cut it as often. However, if you take this shortcut for convenience, you’re going to find yourself with a brown and patchy yard. Grass needs to stay at a certain length to fight droughts and resist weeds and pests, so look at the options on your mower and set to the longer settings. Just like with watering your lawn, set a schedule for mowing and stick to it.

Trim Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants

With summer come thunderstorms. Check for any dead tree limbs you should cut away to prevent a big gust from taking it down and potentially causing damage to you or your tenants’ property. Be sure to prune any bushes or vines that hug your home because they can invite termites and other pests, interfere with exterior air conditioning equipment, and trap moisture against the house and foundation. Keeping bushes trimmed also minimizes risk of burglars.

Plant Drought-Tolerant Plants and Shrubs

Drought-tolerant shrubs and flowers are key for summertime. Not only do they conserve water, they’re low maintenance and, save you time. Take a trip to your local nursery and find some drought resistant plants that are a good choice for your location. If you’re considering adding a splash of color with flowers that thrive in heat, make sure to buy perennials (flowers that bloom many years in a row without having to replant) over annuals (flowers that only bloom for one year and require replanting).

Work With a Property Manager and/or Landscaping Crew

Don’t want to do all the work? You don’t have to. It’s just as easy (if not easier) to have your property manager handle landscaping along with other maintenance.