Summer’s in full swing, and we think there’s no better time for your renters to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. And for owners whose property includes a yard, patio, or porch, this means keeping up with your landscaping so it looks nice and more importantly, is easy and cost-effective to maintain.

Here are some simple summer landscaping tips that will have your yard in tip top shape.

#1: Water Your Lawn In The Morning

This might seem like a no brainer, but it’s a key rule to follow to maximize your curb appeal and save time—lawn care professionals strongly advise against watering your lawn in the afternoon because the water will quickly evaporate. You might be tempted to you give your lawn a drink at the hottest point of the day, but it’s just a waste of time. Also, if you water your lawn in the morning, it gives the roots a chance to absorb the moisture—some grass goes “dormant” in the hotter parts of the day, so they won’t adequately take in water. And if you water at night, you run the risk of having damp grass breed fungus.

Lawn care novices often think they need to water their grass more in the summer because it’s hot. However, you don’t want to overwater your lawn. Stick to an early morning routine where you give it a good, long watering every few days (a deep watering every three days is better than daily light watering). If you’re in the market for a new sprinkler, Country Living has picked the 20 best lawn sprinklers—just be sure not to run them during a rainstorm.

#2: Mow Regularly

Again, this seems obvious, but regular mowing to the optimal length makes a bigger difference than you’d think to avoid complications later on. It might be appealing to cut your lawn close to the soil so you don’t have to cut it as often. However, if you take this shortcut for convenience, you’re going to find yourself with a brown and patchy yard. Grass needs to stay at a certain length to fight droughts and resist weeds and pests, so look at the options on your mower and set to the longer settings. Also, longer grass has a deeper green color and needs less water.

Pro tip: The Family Handyman advises you mow cool-climate grasses 3-4 in. and warm-climate grasses 1-2 in.

Just like with watering your lawn, set a schedule for mowing and stick to it. Depending on the growth rate and the height you’d like, you could choose to cut the grass once to several times a week. However, don’t let it get too high because that’ll look unkempt.

#3: Trim Trees, Shrubs and Other Plants

With summer come thunderstorms. Check for any dead tree limbs you should cut away to prevent a big gust from taking it down and potentially causing damage to you or your tenants’ property.

Be sure to prune any bushes or vines that hug your home because they can invite termites and other pests, interfere with exterior air conditioning equipment, and trap moisture against the house and foundation. Keeping bushes trimmed also minimizes risk of burglars.

#4: Plant Drought-Tolerant Plants and Shrubs

Drought-tolerant shrubs and flowers are key for summertime. Not only do they conserve water, they’re low maintenance, save you time, and improve your property’s curb appeal. Take a trip to your local nursery and find some drought resistant plants that are a good choice for your location. If you’re considering adding a splash of color with flowers that thrive in heat, however, make sure to buy perennials (flowers that bloom many years in a row without having to replant) over annuals (flowers that only bloom for one year and require replanting).

Extra Lawn Care Pro Tips

These other tricks aren’t required for having a good looking lawn, but can definitely help make it the best it can possibly be.

• Fertilize: This extra step gives your grass the nutrients it needs for good health. Just make sure you get the right kind for your grass and soil.
• Aerate: Aeration allows water, air, and other nutrients to get into the grass roots which helps the grass grow deeply, more resiliently, and greener.
• Weed: Weeds steal nutrients from your grass, so it’s better to remove then on the onslaught. We recommend spraying a safe herbicide in areas prone to weeds to save yourself time and effort.

Work With a Property Manager and/or Landscaping Crew

Don’t want to do all the work? You don’t have to. It’s just as easy (if not easier) to have your property manager handle landscaping along with other maintenance. They might even have standing vendor relationship with lawn care professionals who’ll give you a good price for the work. For a little extra money in, you save a lot of time, energy, and effort, especially if yard work isn’t your thing.