By Dani Sheehan. 

Deliver outdoor spaces that are lush, low-maintenance and environmentally conscious this season. 

As the summer heat sets in, landscaping professionals are tasked with creating outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful, but sustainable and smart. With water conservation and climate resiliency more important than ever, your summer strategy should be built around intentional design and efficient water use. Here’s how you can deliver high-performance landscapes that thrive all summer long. 

Design with purpose 

Before you start planting shrubs, take the time to understand how the space will be used. Is it a play area for kids? A shady retreat? A pollinator-friendly garden? Matching the design to the client’s goals ensures longevity and satisfaction. 

Key design strategies: 

• Plan before you plant: Sketch out your layout, note sun exposure, soil type and wind patterns. Group plants with similar needs together for a balanced, efficient system. 
• Hydrozone strategically: Separating plants by their water needs simplifies irrigation and reduces overwatering.  
• Choose regionally appropriate plants: Native and drought-tolerant species thrive with less intervention. They’re also naturally resistant to local pests and diseases. 
• Use turf with intention: Lawns should serve a clear purpose. Reduce turf areas in favor of mulched beds or permeable hardscapes when possible. 

Pro tip: Offer clients design refreshes that reduce turf, increase biodiversity and improve water efficiency. 

Work with water 

In summer, every drop counts. Your irrigation and soil strategies should focus on deep root growth, moisture retention and smart delivery. 

Water-smart tactics: 

• Water deeply and less frequently: This encourages root growth and minimizes surface evaporation. 
• Mulch like a pro: A two-to-three-inch layer of mulch helps soil retain moisture, regulates temperature and blocks weeds. It’s like sunscreen for the soil. 
• Improve soil health: Test soil regularly and use compost to boost moisture retention and nutrient content. 
• Install smart irrigation: Drip irrigation systems with weather sensors and timers are more efficient than traditional sprinklers. 
• Aerate and amend: For compacted or sandy soils, improve infiltration and water-holding capacity with proper aeration and soil amendments. 

Pro tip: Mid-summer is a perfect time to refresh mulch and inspect irrigation systems for leaks or inefficiencies. 

When you lay the groundwork with purpose and efficiency, you set your clients, and their landscapes, up for long-term growth. 

By Dani Sheehan. 

From high-analysis water solubles to soil-building biochar blends, learn the why behind fertilizer blends to build trust and long-term relationships with your clients. 

Not all fertilizers are created equal when it comes to plant nutrition. While trees and shrubs in natural environments rarely need our help, ornamentals in human-designed landscapes face less-than-ideal conditions. As a result, your job involves both delivering beautiful aesthetics and educating your customers on how to support long-term plant health. 

Fertilization plays a critical role, but knowing what to use, when and why can be complicated. With dozens of nutrient blends available, how can you make confident fertilizer recommendations that support your clients’ landscapes year-round? 

This quick guide breaks down the major types of fertilizers, when they shine and how to use them strategically in your plant health care or integrated pest management programs.  

Pro tip: Before reaching for any bag, bottle or spreader, start with a soil test! This baseline reveals deficiencies, pH imbalances or excessive nutrients that could cause more harm than good with the wrong application. Soil testing can also help you explain the why behind your recommendations to clients, and back them up with data. 

Know your fertilizer families 

1 – Slow-release granulars 

Best for: Established ornamentals, low-maintenance installations and broad landscape areas. 

These fertilizers break down gradually over time, offering consistent nutrient availability without pushing excessive top growth. They’re ideal for maintaining long-term plant health and reducing labor through fewer applications. Commonly used in tree rings, shrub beds and even turf areas. 

2 – Water-soluble fertilizers 

Best for: Quick results, new plantings or when correcting specific deficiencies. 

Water-soluble fertilizers dissolve completely and can be applied through irrigation systems, sprayers or directly to soil. They provide fast nutrient uptake, making them especially useful during periods of rapid growth or recovery. Use them when you need immediate visual impact or support for young root systems. 

3 – Foliar fertilizers 

Best for: Targeted feeding during stress, nutrient deficiencies or supplement root-zone applications. 

Applied directly to leaves, foliar fertilizers bypass the soil and offer a quick nutrient boost, which can be especially valuable when root absorption is limited (like during a drought or compaction). They’re often used as a complement to soil-approached products in high-maintenance or high-visibility landscapes. 

4 – Organic and bio-based fertilizers 

Best for: Soil health, long-term sustainability and eco-conscious clients. 

These blends often include natural materials like composted manure, fish emulsion or biochar, along with beneficial microbes. While they may act more slowly than synthetics, they support soil structure, microbial activity and water retention. They’re ideal for environmentally sensitive areas or for customers seeking low-impact landscaping. 

5 – Starter fertilizers 

Best for: New installations and freshly seeded or sodded turf. 

High in phosphorus and often enhanced with micronutrients, starter fertilizers encourage strong root development and plant establishment. They’re essential when planting trees, shrubs or perennials in poor or disturbed soils. 

To get the best results, fertilizers must be matched to plant needs, soil conditions, seasonal timing and your client’s goals. Learn about application timing and find the products you need, when and where you want them with Green Velvet Sod Farms.