With long summer days that average well above 95 degrees, there’s no doubt that Dallas summers can be real scorchers. The hot, muggy summer heat starts seeping in during May and doesn’t fully dissipate until October.
There are many ways you can make your yard more airy, allowing you to escape the high temperatures of a Dallas summer. Don’t let the summer heat stop you from enjoying your backyard space! Check out these tips for beating the heat and creating a more livable outdoor area.
Shade Your Yard With Trees
Planting just a few trees around your yard allows you to do your part to cool the Dallas metro area down during the hottest months of the year. The Dallas Urban Forestry Advisory Committee even encourages tree planting, as it is an opportunity to shade the sun’s intense rays. The moisture trees transpire also helps lower the air temperature. Live oaks, cedar elms, magnolias, Texas buckeyes, and bald cypresses thrive in Dallas’ subtropical climate.
Install Intentional Shade Structures
Pergolas, gazebos, and other outdoor structures provide shade and shelter from bad weather. You can also decorate these ornamental features for Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations, summer get-togethers, birthday parties, and other special gatherings. Intentional shade structures help liven up your yard and make it feel more welcoming when friends and family visit.
Add Cool Water Features
Adding a fountain or water element is another great way to beat the intense summer temperatures. If you have a garden, adding a water fountain helps you purify the air around your plants and provide cooling relief from the blistering Dallas heat. Garden ponds and pond fountains make a great addition if you have a larger yard.
Adding a pond means you’ll have less grass to mow, and devoting just a small portion of your yard to one allows you to reduce your carbon footprint and support more diverse aquatic plant life. Frogs and other amphibians will also thrive in your small pond.
Maintain Your Yard
Dallas summers are long and dry, so it’s important to maintain your yard by watering it regularly. Even the most drought-resistant species need a little moisture from time to time. You can take the grunt work out of watering and let your yard work for you by installing several rotational sprinkler systems in strategic areas. Most grass types only need an inch or two of water per week.
Mowing your yard often prevents the grass you plant from becoming dormant and drying up. Check for pests in and around your shaded areas in between mows.
These basic guidelines outline how to create shady areas and cool your yard during the Dallas area’s long, intense summer. Need some help turning your yard into an oasis? Our team at Clients First Landscape Solutions is here for you. We offer an array of landscaping services designed to meet your unique needs. Contact us online for more information, and find out why we’re the region’s premier landscaping company.