Yard Maintenance To Do for the Dog Days of Summer: Prune Dead Wood

The dog days of summer are barking and Labor Day is just around the bend, signaling the end of yet another epic season in the sun. But before you give your flamingo pool float one last hurrah, take a break with some home maintenance prep for the changing season ahead. Why worry now about what you can do next month? Well, as it turns out, some home maintenance tasks are best tackled in August, before temperatures start dipping.

For example, now is the perfect time to tidy up your perennials and clear those unsightly dead twigs and branches, according to Tony Smith, president of Nursery Enterprises in Rexburg, Idaho. Not only will you have a more attractive yard, but “by cleaning them out this summer, you’ll create a clean slate—and next summer you’ll have a better grasp in understanding your plants’ health.” Smith says.

To tackle this task yourself, you’ll need pruners, a saw, and loppers (or a chain saw) to really get it done right.  Depending on how much you have to do, you may also want to call your local trash service and rent a dumpster for the duration.  However, if the mere thought of wielding a chain saw gives you the heebie-jeebies, call in a professional landscape company to do the deed. The cost depends, of course, on the extent of the work and the size of your yard, but Home Advisor says you can expect to pay at least $400 to $700 for a reputable, licensed tree trimmer.

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Photo Credit:  Cherries / Shutterstock.com