Lawn & Landscape Care While You’re Away

Summer is here and it’s time to get away! When you’re working through your list of to-do’s before and during your vacation, be sure your lawn and landscape gets the attention it needs. A few simple tasks now can mean the difference between coming home to dead plants, brown grass, and unruly weeds, or your lawn and landscape appearing like you never even left.

Preparation is the key to success when it comes to your lawn and landscape. Whether your vacation lasts for a week or it stretches beyond two weeks, one of the best tips for keeping your lawn and landscape cared for while your away is some simple prep work.

Vacationing for a week or less?

Your regular lawn maintenance schedule can be followed without much change. The heat of summer slows lawn growth, so going a week between mowing will be just fine. Some general advice we offer would be:

• Inspect your landscape for any insects or disease, and treat anything that needs attention.
• Weed your beds and deadhead any spent blooms. Give your plants a good, deep soaking if no rain is in the forecast for the next few days.
• Mow to your lawn’s typical height the day before you leave and give your lawn a deep watering if the weather forecast dictates.
• If you have any plants in containers, move these to a shaded area and give them a good soaking.

Vacationing for more than a week?

An extended vacation may be great for your health and well-being, but it can be stressful on your lawn and landscape. You’ve invested a lot of time and money into your landscape; don’t let that investment go to waste! Consider hiring a landscaper or starting a professional lawn or landscape maintenance program to ensure that your lawn and landscape looks just as good (or better!) as when you left.

• Inspect your landscape for any insects or disease, and treat anything that needs attention.
• Weed your garden beds and deadhead any spent blooms. Give your plants a good, deep soaking if no rain is in the forecast for the next few days.
• Set your mower down a notch and mow the day before you leave. Give your lawn a deep watering if the weather forecast dictates. When you return you’ll want to raise your mower two notches so you don’t trim more than 1/3 of the grass.
• If you have any plants in containers, move these to a shaded area and give them a good soaking.
• If you haven’t hired a professional landscaping team, recruit a friend or neighbor to water your lawn and landscape. Ideally you’ll have a watering system setup for the landscape, and a sprinkler system for the lawn.

Following these simple tips will help you enjoy your vacation and reduce worry about your lawn and landscape. Keep in mind that an unkempt lawn can not only look unsightly, but it can also clearly advertise that you are not home. This can also become a security concern the longer you are away.

If you would prefer to leave your lawn and landscape maintenance to the professionals, Hively is just a quick call or email away. You can reach us at 717-292-5696 or info@hivelylandscapes.com.