It’s rare that we get through a summer when there isn’t a dry spell. That can often turn green lawns brown and damage perennials. Below, we’ve gathered tips for keeping your landscaping looking its best through the dry summer months.

Timing is everything – Watering in the middle of a hot day is not a great idea. Too much of the water will evaporate before it even reaches the roots of your plants. Water in the early morning when the temperatures are lowest. This will give your plants a nice drink.

Watch an indicator plant – There are certain plants that show the signs of drought earlier than others. Keep an eye on these plants and step up your watering as soon as you notice signs of wilt. In a vegetable garden, squash or cucumbers are great plants to use this way. Impatiens are also a helpful indicator plant. Watch these flowering annuals for wilting or brown leaf tips. This will tell you your yard and garden is likely getting too dry. By keeping an eye on these indicator plants you can avoid over watering.

Use mulch – Sometimes people think of mulch as just an aesthetic choice. But that’s not true. Mulch does a great job of keeping moisture in and protecting plants. If you have a plant bed that always seems to need more water than others, try applying a thick layer of mulch.

Don’t waste – It’s amazing how much water gets wasted by over zealous gardeners! Don’t soak a plant’s foliage. Wet leaves don’t help. A plant needs water at its base so its roots can soak it up. According to Popular Mechanics, a shrub’s root zone is roughly 1 to 3 times the diameter of its canopy. Try to keep your watering within this radius. Also, be careful with your sprinkler placement. Watering your driveway does not good for your lawn!