Keeping your yard cool
It can be difficult during the hot summer months keeping your yard cool and giving your grass a chance to grow as well as the vegetables in the garden. Yes, keeping your yard cool in the summer seems to be a challenge but there may be some ways to shade the grass, vegetables, and even your kids.
Planting shade trees in your yard is probably the best way to get some shade out there and keep the yard cool from the summer heat and sun. Despite the shade however, shade trees are extremely beneficial for several of other things. They are great for privacy, keeping the lawns healthy and green, and perhaps the best benefit, keeping our homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. They are great for wildlife and can make the landscape of our home look beautiful.
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What exactly are shade trees?
Well, shade trees are generally the trees that have matured and are grown to a certain point. They are usually bigger trees with long limbs and plenty of leaves growing on them. They may be oak, maple, walnut, etc. but all are big and very strong. It usually takes years for a tree to reach it's full maturity and in return will give you plenty of shade for the grass and many other things. Depending on the type of tree and its maturity will depend on how much you pay for it. The price can range anywhere from a $20 trellis which is generally used to support vines, to around $50,000. If you have the time and money however, investing in trees for your yard can save you money on watering the lawn because it will keep it cool, as well as several other advantages.
What to consider?
Before you go digging a hole in your backyard because you're so thirsty for shade and some cool spots in the yard, there are several things you need to consider. Here are some things to think about before you jump into this project:
- You need to consider how invasive the root system of your tree will become. For example if you want to plant trees outside your home next to the sidewalk you need to think about how much that tree will grow and what it might do to the cement.
- Consider the types of trees you want to plant. There are several different types of trees to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. For example, maples are extremely popular trees however, they grow very fast and have root systems that are extremely large and can uproot cement as well as other parts of the yard. They also have a tendency to soak up water that other plants in the yard might need. So while they will give you shade faster than other trees, they may not be the best choice for your yard. Poplars and box elders are another type of tree that grows quickly.
- Consider your entire backyard before you go planting all over the place. Look at the big picture and see what types of trees will look best with the landscaping.
- You will also want to consider the layout of your yard. Know which way is north, south, east and west as it will be important on how much morning and afternoon sun the tree gets and will shade the yard. Some trees prefer morning sun, while others prefer evening sun. If you're looking to shade most of your yard during the hottest part of the day then planting a tree in the southwest corner of the yard is a great spot. You have to think about which areas of the yard you want the most shade in and at which times.
Keeping your yard cool by planting some trees around is beneficial to just about every part of nature, as well as beneficial to you. They help keep the lawn cool, the house cool, and are a great place for birds to sit, as well as other animals. Just make sure you know your stuff and do some research before you jump into it.
