Late summer landscape

It's getting late in the season. There are only 28 days until fall. Spring and fall remain full of landscaping tasks, but there are plenty of ways to spruce up your lawn and garden as the summer ends.

Check out these easy and effective end of summer landscaping tips, designed to extend the season and keep your outdoor living area healthy and comfortable.

• Watering your lawn and garden can be problematic, depending on local limitations. About 1-inch of water is all that your lawn needs to push through the dog days of summer.
• If you planted late or plan to water late in the season, get a backflow wrap to protect your backflow preventer from mild freezes.
• Deadhead your flowers to encourage growth and maintain a neat appearance. Annuals like petunias and pansies take just a few minutes to deadhead, while other annuals and many perennials require cutting.
• Fall aerations are recommended to break up soil, redistribute nutrients, and improve air transfer between soil and atmosphere.
• Most plants require pruning in early spring and mid-winter, but summer provides a good opportunity for light pruning. Trimming roses helps to promote an additional series of blooms, and many flowering shrubs and trees could use a quick pruning at this time. Be sure your pruners are clean and sharpened; otherwise you risk harming vulnerable plants. Always clean your tools after dealing with diseased plants, and keep the blades free from debris and sap.