4 Landscaping Ideas to Keep You Cooler this Summer

As summer approaches, the temperature climbs upward and your AC starts its annual marathon through summer, and your electric bills. But it doesn’t have to be that way if you use some clever landscaping to cool down your home and yard. Contact AllGreen Landscape Co. and we can help you design a cooler landscape: (703) 992-8787.

1. Use the Compass to Plan your Landscaping

North, south, east and west. All of these sides of your home have a different heating profile and timing, depending on the time of day. Think about how the sun rises on the east side of your home and sets in the west. Also, remember that the north side of your home will get a little less sun than the ever-sunny south side of your home. With those facts in mind, you can make some arrangements. For example:

• Consider installing your outdoor kitchen or living room and entertaining space on the east side of your home. If you’ll be doing most of your summer BBQ-ing and gathering in the evening, that’s where the shade will be.
• Plant shade trees and shrubbery on the west and south sides of your home, which is where the afternoon’s heat will be concentrated. Consider installing a gorgeous pergola with vines that invites airy breezes and casts some shade that will lower the temperature outside and inside your home.

2. Use Trees to Guide the Wind

Use a wind vane to figure out where the prevailing breezes flow on your property. By planting a row of shade trees parallel with a wall of shrubs or stone, you can actually harness some of that wind power toward your home, which will blow some of the hot summer air away from your home.

3. Water Features are Cool

Water is a great sunlight reflector, so if you have the space and inclination, why not add a pond, or at least a sweet fountain or other water features that have a cool trickling sound that signals the brain to think cool thoughts. Paired with vine-covered pergola and shade trees, you can spend all afternoon outside and enjoy the time without overheating.

4. The Right Ground Cover can be Cool

A lush, healthy lawn is better at cooling your yard than one that isn’t healthy, but in addition to that, consider your pathways and other hardscape. Light colored concrete, gravel or stone can deflect sunlight back into the sky, unlike darker colors that hold the heat. Just keep thinking in light colors and reflective finishes as these will bounce the heat off of your yard more than dark colors.

Let your landscaping help you deflect summer’s heat and keep you and your home cool this year! Get in touch with AllGreen Landscape Co. today at (703) 992-8787 and let’s talk about some “cool landscaping ideas” for your home!