St. Louis homeowners invest in their property’s outdoor spaces with summer in mind. After all, it’s much easier to enjoy those lovely, warm evenings when you have the perfect outdoor living space to share with your friends and family.

The challenge is that, without the right garden care, the St. Louis climate can quickly turn well-landscaped gardens into bone-dry, damaged spaces that are a far cry from your original vision.

The good news is that, while the St. Louis climate does pose unique threats, homeowners who understand the impact — and the strategies that keep them at bay — can ensure that their exterior spaces are in tip-top condition all summer long. 

How the St. Louis Climate Affects Your Outdoor Landscape

High temperatures, high humidity, and sudden bursts of heavy rainfall are typical during St. Louis summers.

Those alone can make caring for your outdoor space a challenge, but when you combine them with the heavy clay soil that you’ll typically find in and around St. Louis? Then you have an environment in which grass and plants struggle. 

The heat turns the clay soil hard, and when heavy rainfall arrives, it simply runs off instead of soaking in. Add in the fact that high humidity keeps moisture on plant leaves and soil for longer — making it more likely for fungus and other diseases to set in — and it’s no surprise that many St. Louis outdoor spaces look a little worn-and-tired by August. 

The Impact of Heat Stress On Your Outdoor Space

Heat stress has a slowly corrosive impact on plants and lawns. Again, it comes down to the St. Louis hard clay soil. Even spaces that look well-watered can struggle because the water they need has been unable to penetrate to the depths required.

Noticing the early signs of heat stress will allow you to take action early:

• Discolored grass
• Grass that doesn’t spring back when stepped on
• Leaves that droop during the day
• Edges of leaves turning brown
• Tree leaves dropping earlier than expected

How to Manage Your St. Louis Outdoor Space During Summer

Keeping your St. Louis outdoor space in perfect condition throughout the summer is dependent on effectively managing the climate and the soil.

Here are some top tips that should help keep your garden looking its best:

• Water early in the morning: It gives the water a chance to soak in before it’s evaporated by the heat. Avoid watering from 11 am onward.
• Opt for short bursts of watering, with pauses in between: It takes longer for water to penetrate clay soil. Watering in brief spurts avoids the water running off.
• Don’t water after heavy rainfall: A downpour will provide more than enough water; extra watering risks oversaturation.
• Choose native plants: They’ve adapted to thrive in this climate. Some native plants St. Louis homeowners can select include purple coneflowers and eastern redbuds. 
• Invest in landscape care: Working with lawn care services St. Louis company provides access to premium, concierge-level care. 

Looking for lawn care services St. Louis homeowners can rely on? At Quiet Village Landscaping, our property stewardship and landscape design St. Louis services provide the tailored plans and trusted team you can to have peace of mind that your outdoor space looks its best all year round. Contact us today to request an estimate.