Summer Landscape Maintenance: Feed, Deadhead, Scout, Prune

Keep summer annuals blooming with monthly fertilizer (1 lb 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft). Deadhead faded flowers on petunias, cosmos, salvia, and marigolds to stimulate new blooms.

Scout for pests like black vine weevil on azaleas and rhododendrons—irregular leaf notches indicate adults; larvae eat roots. Treat with granules and foliar spray at dusk.

Summer pruning: remove up to ¼ of foliage without harm. After rains, identify low limbs that interfere with mowing.

Photograph your landscape periodically to track changes over years.