The air was silken and blithe, with the ease and simplicity only a Summer’s night could construe.  The velvety, sapphire sky was studded here and there with flickering stars.  The earth had quieted, save for the rhythmic rise and fall of the cicada song.

Dogday cicadas emerge in late Summer, and as we enter August, Summer begins to wane and ripen while early Summer bloomers fade and late bloomers hit their stride.

The growing season is certainly not over, not even close.  In fact, 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 this perfect window of opportunity elude you for another year.

Plant of the Week

Photos of Little Bunny Fountain Grass courtesy of Midwest Groundcovers

Little Bunny Fountain Grass

Compact, mounding ornamental grass with finely textured, graceful foliage and fluffy, cream-colored seed heads bloom August – October.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 8-12″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Foliage changes to a golden russet in Fall.  Salt and drought tolerant once established.

“Oh, the Summer night,

Has a smile of light,

As she sits on a sapphire throne.”

-Barry Cornwall

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney