Like an over ripened tomato, Summer is beginning to rot on the vine.  The vibrant hues of the season have deepened and intensified, and like the brightest of stars, they have begun to burn and fizzle.  Summer has past her prime.

But despair not.  Late Summer/early Fall offers many opportunities to spruce up the landscape.  In fact, it’s considered one of the best times of the year to plant, and perhaps even more importantly, renovate our lawns.

The perfect window for seeding is mid-August through mid-September.  Milder day time temperatures, cooler nights and increasing rain fall make for optimal conditions for growing grass.  Additionally, there is less competition from weeds, and seeding now allows for strong root development before the lawn faces the heat of next Summer.  Further still, soil temperatures are still warm, again presenting ideal conditions for seed germination.

Sod also does well this time of year for all the same reasons and can be laid almost up to the first frost.

Contact Sweeney’s today to schedule your lawn renovation.  Don’t let the perfect window of opportunity elude you for another year.  Seize the season!

Plant of the Week

Sweet Autumn Clematis

Snowy drifts of small, white, fragrant star-shaped flowers abound from August – October amongst glossy green foliage.  Prolific, agile vine climbs and can reach heights of 15-20′ and widths of 6-8′.  Prefers moist, well-drained soil and sun to partial shade.  Attracts pollinators and is deer resistant.

“…in late summer where the spirit of autumn takes a first stealing flight, like a spy, through the ripening country-side, and, with feigned sympathy for those who droop with August heat, puts her cool cloak of bracing air about leaf and flower and human shoulders.”

-Sarah Orne Jewett

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney