Now that summer has arrived, many people desire the lushness and beauty of well-trimmed and watered landscape vegetation for their yard or garden. The Gardener, the premier landscaping contractor in Columbia, MO, offers some summer tips to help you avoid issues this season and grow healthy plants and foliage.

Top 3 Summer Landscape Tips

Trim Foliage Around the AC Condenser

To save energy and reduce maintenance and utility costs, have your landscaping contractor trim the growth around your air conditioner's outdoor condenser unit. Plants that block the intake of air can cause problems, including higher than normal energy usage, an inability to cool your home properly, and excessive wear and tear on your blower motor. Likewise, don't store lawn furniture, barbecue grills, or other items where they might impede airflow.

Get Rid of Branches Close to Your House

Have a landscape crew remove any dead or dying tree branches to prevent them from falling and causing injury or property damage. Also, have limbs trimmed back so they don’t batter up against the house during high winds—this prevents damage to siding and shingles as well as to the branches themselves, keeping your trees full.

Keep Vines & Ivy Off the House

You may appreciate the way ivy and other climbing vines look as they grow up the wall of your home. However, climbing vines can cause the mortar of bricks to deteriorate, which weakens the structure of your property. Vines also contain moisture, which can stain or damage siding over long periods. Finally, they act as a highway for pests to access your eaves and roof. Thus, despite the engaging appearance, you should have a landscape professional cut vines and ivy away from your home to avoid costly repairs. 

The Gardener, Columbia, MO's premier landscaping contractor, has many more landscape suggestions for everything from retaining walls to water gardens. Visit the company website for contact details, or call (573) 446-0802 to discuss your options with a friendly expert.