July weather in the south is hot and humid. This leads to a significant spike in insect populations and fungal diseases. We highly recommend that you are diligent in your pest prevention methods during summer. Monitor your lawn and landscape plants regularly for signs of any diseases or infestation. Identify the pest or pathogen responsible, then research the best method for eradicating that particular insect or fungus. Fungicides and Pesticides usually have very specific labeling and tend to be targeted for a very specific pathogen or insect. If you plan to spray yourself, it is critical that you obtain a product labeled for use on the specific threat you intend to target. It is also imperative that you read the instructions for use carefully, and follow all manufacturer recommendations for pretective equipment. Generally, late evening is considered to be the best time to spray during the hot summer season. At Davis Kee Outdoor, we can help with all common lawn and landscape pest and fungus issues.

Mow and water your lawn and landscape on a regular basis, but don’t overwater. If you have sprinklers, or other irrigation, consider installing a rainfall sensor so that your system recognizes the amount of rainfall your landscape is receiving from thunderstorms and rain showers. This simple sensor will prevent the system from engaging when the grass has already received adequate water, and prevent over-watering. If you don’t have sprinklers, or irrigation, then you want to remain aware of the amount of water being lost to evaporation and runoff. You should water once or twice a day if there is no rain. You definitely want to keep your lawn mowed but also avoid over mowing. Grass tends to grow quickly in the summertime, but you never want to be cutting more than 1/3 the height of the grass. Mowing grass too short can lead to stress on the roots, dehydration, and discoloration.

It is recommended that you continually deadhead your annual and perennial flowers so they can rebloom later on in the season. You can also pluck the top buds of several popular flowering plant species to limit seed development, which results in the plant blooming more. If you have questions, Davis Kee can help.

Be aware that poison ivy is an issue. This poisonous and invasive plant is constantly finding its way into Chattanooga area gardens, yards, and landscapes. You can identify this noxious pest by its signature look-three pointed leaflets per leaf. If you see poison ivy, do not touch it directly! Poison Ivy can be controlled by pulling it up using gloves or yard tools, as well as brush killing products. Follow all manufacturer label instructions when using brush killer. For those brush clean up jobs, contact Davis Kee to get the job done!

Fertilize your vegetable and herb plants with a nitrogen rich fertilizer about once per month in the summertime. This will keep your garden plants strong and healthy. We do not recommend using fertilizer on dry soils. It is preferred to wait until after a rainstorm or irrigation has watered your garden to apply fertilizer. The summer months are also a good time to prune trees and shrubs. You can be thorough with this process, but limit your pruning to removing less than 15% of the leaves of a plant if you want the plant to remain healthy. The first priority is any branches that are already dead, or appear to be dying. Call Davis Kee Outdoor for assistance with this and other summer projects!

Remember to harvest your herbs, fruits, and vegetables. July is peak season for all sorts of critters that would love to take your freshly ripened produce. Birds, deer, rabbits, and insects can all steal or destroy your crops before you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Check your garden every day and harvest as soon as your crops reach sufficient ripeness to pick.

Get ready for fall by planting fall vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, carrots, turnips, and radishes. These can all be planted now for maximum enjoyment when autumn rolls around. It’s nice to have something to look forward to, and our long growing season here in the south affods us that luxury.

For assistance with all of the above, and much more, contact Davis Kee Outdoor today!

That initial impression of your property is critical. Our design professionals at Davis Kee Outdoor can help you craft desirable curb appeal for your home, and also help you with providing the regular landscape maintenance services necessary to keep everything flourishing and looking top notch.

At Davis Kee we are routinely asked how to increase curb appeal on a modest budget. The improvement of your home’s curb appeal doesn’t have to be a gargantuan project. There are lots of small and simple steps you can take today that won’t break the bank, and will have a positive impact. One example is adding some is adding a pop of color pizzazz to the front entrance of your home for an instant facelift.

Start by giving your front door a fresh coat of paint. Choose a color that both complements and contrasts with your home’s facade. If your house is white, or grey, consider a bold color like bright red to add vibrance. This would also be a good time to make sure your house numbers are visible and appealing in appearance. Lastly, use potted and hanging plants to frame the steps, walkway, or porch, and the entrance itself.

We are also routinely asked what steps can be taken in the yard to increase curb appeal. The single most imprtant factor in yard curb appeal is a consistent design. Ideally, all the elements should come together to create a beautiful tapestry. In addition, their should be attention paid to making sure the landscaping suits the aesthetic of the home, and the needs of the homeowner. The design professionals at Davis Kee Outdoor can start with your vision and create a plan that suits your needs, meets your budget, and increases curb appeal.

If your home already has an excellent landscape design outdoors, nothing is more effective at increasing curb appeal than maintaining it all properly. As you already know, mowing the grass regularly and removing weeds is absolutely essential. Taking the extra step to ensure the edges of your lawn are crisp and clean greatly enhances curb appeal.

Keeping your garden beds well tended is also important. A well groomed weed free garden bed sends the message that your home and garden is your baby, and that you are the sort of person that takes great care in ensuring it is well maintained and beautiful. Make sure that fresh mulch is applied every season. Mulch helps create that well manicured, fresh look that greatly enhances curb appeal.

The planting of annual flowers is a wonderful life hack for quick color that lasts for a long period of time. Carefully choosing the right flowers will result in planting beds that are inexpensive, grow quickly, and bloom for a lengthy time frame. At Davis Kee Outdoor, we recommend a strategy of planting bright colored annuals in spring and summer, and switching gears to fall colors in the autumn. This simple changing of color palette with the seasons help reinforce the idea that your home is inviting and warm. Annual color is a wonderful and inexpensive tool for increasing the curb appeal of your home.

Next, plant annual flowers for quick and long-lasting color. Choosing the right plants allows you to have a flowering bed that is inexpensive, grows quickly, and blooms longer. The best strategy is to plant brightly colored annuals for your spring and summer beds, and autumn colors for the fall. By changing the color palette with the season, you create an image of your home as warm and living. The colors can play a significant role in increasing the curb appeal of your home.

An often overlooked aspect of curb appeal is the exterior structure. Your home’s exterior is built to hold up under inclement weather and keep the outside world outside. It takes a beating from mother nature in the course of protecting your family throughout the seasons. As a result, the exterior of your home can get very dirty without you necessarily noticing. Something as simple as putting a pressure nozzle on your hose and periodically washing dirt and debris from your home can be helpful and effective. Alternately, you can rent a pressure washer. Don’t forget to wash off your paved surfaces too! The pros at Davis Kee Outdoor can be hired to perform these services with a pressure washer and ensure that your home’s exterior is optimally cleaned.

Another simple idea is removing clutter from your driveway. Look for a way to get your garbarge and recycling bins out of sight. This could be at the side of your home, or behind a small fence, screen, or bush. Alternately, keeping them in the garage is an alternative.

If you have cracks in your paved surfaces, sealing them up to prevent water damage and unsightly weed growth is recommended and is another way to increase curb appeal.

Don’t forget your windows. Keeping those clean will make them sparkle and significantly enhance your curb appeal. As an added bonus, your outlook from indoors will be much brighter!

Contact Davis Kee Outdoor today for more information about how our services can help you increase the curb appeal of your home.