There's something deeply satisfying about a picture-perfect day dedicated to garden maintenance. While the glamorous side of gardening gets most of the attention—the planning, planting, and touring—it's the regular upkeep that keeps everything looking its best throughout the growing season.

Today we're taking you along for a full day of summer garden chores, sharing our techniques for maintaining water features, refreshing container plantings, and achieving those crisp garden edges that everyone asks about. These aren't the most exciting tasks, but they're absolutely essential for a garden that performs beautifully all season long.

Water Feature Maintenance: Keeping Things Crystal Clear

Our pondless waterfall has been the star of our garden transformation, but like any water feature, it requires regular attention to stay looking its best. After a month of full sun and summer heat, algae accumulation is perfectly normal—and easily managed with the right approach.

The Underground System

What makes our setup particularly interesting is that all the equipment operates underground. A trenched wire runs beneath the lawn to a cleverly disguised "faux stone" (though Christopher prefers the more direct "fake rock") that houses all our controls.

Pro tip: When installing water features, plan for easy access to controls. Having everything centralized in one weatherproof location makes maintenance much simpler.

The control station manages:

• Water flow rate (adjustable from 1-10)
• Fountain lighting for evening ambiance
• Additional lighting for other garden features

This electrical planning from our 2022 terrace installation has proved invaluable—sometimes it really pays to think ahead!

The Cleaning Process

Step 1: Power DownFirst challenge: figuring out which switch controls what! After some trial and error (the ion generator versus the actual pump controls), we successfully stopped the water flow to begin cleaning.

Step 2: AssessmentWith 120 gallons of water in the system, we could see algae had turned some areas brown rather than their natural stone color. This is completely normal for full-sun water features during hot weather.

Step 3: Physical CleaningUsing our trusty hose (more on that later!), we blasted algae buildup off the waterfall stones. The instant satisfaction of revealing clean stone underneath is deeply rewarding—though you will get "sludgy legs" in the process!

Step 4: Algaecide TreatmentFor our 120-gallon system, we added just over two teaspoons of pond-safe algaecide (no fish means we can use stronger formulations). Always apply at the pump location for proper circulation.

Fountain Maintenance Made Simple

Our Katarina fountain requires similar attention but on a smaller scale. The process is wonderfully straightforward:

1. Scrub and rinse to loosen algae buildup
2. Use a leaf blower to completely empty the fountain (surprisingly effective!)
3. Refill with fresh water using our hose system
4. Add algaecide (tiny amount for 10 gallons)
5. Restart via smartphone app connected to our Casa system

The entire process takes about 15 minutes and keeps the fountain looking pristine for another month.

Container Garden Makeovers: When Plants Need Replacing

Not every plant choice works out as planned, and late summer is the perfect time to make strategic replacements. Our lilac Lobelia, despite having companions thriving in full sun elsewhere, was struggling in this particular container.

The Replacement Strategy

Out: Underperforming LobeliaIn: Vintage Lipstick Coneflowers from our recent garden center trip

Why this works:

• Coneflowers are perennials, so they can move to the landscape after container duty
• The coral-pink color bridges beautifully between our Magic Double Grapefruit Superbells and other pink elements
• Excellent timing—plenty of buds for continued blooming

Planting Technique for Container Swaps

The beauty of this replacement was how perfectly everything fit together. The key considerations:

Size matching: Choose replacement plants that complement existing mature specimens rather than starting over with small plants.

Root system management: These coneflowers could easily have been divided for more plants, but we wanted full impact to match the scale of other container elements.

Strategic placement: Positioning the new plants right at the container edge allows them to billow over, creating natural, flowing lines.

Tilting technique: Just like our fall mum installations, slightly angling the new plants creates more dynamic visual interest.

The Art of Container Grooming

Deadheading and Shaping

Our Nemesia had become leggy—a common mid-summer issue. The solution: careful shearing followed by fertilization to encourage fresh growth.

Technique tips:

• Use pointed flower snips for precision work
• Cut behind the front face of the plant, angling upward
• Think "softening the fringe" rather than "straight bangs"
• Follow up with fertilizer to encourage new flowering

Supertunia Management

Late summer Supertunia maintenance requires a specific approach:

The problem: They get lanky and express themselves in less-than-attractive waysThe solution: Strategic trimming that lifts and lightens rather than creating harsh lines

Method: Cut from behind, angling upward to maintain natural flow while removing the tattery, overgrown portions.

Fertilizing Made Efficient: The Chapin System

Our fertilizing routine has been revolutionized by the Chapin wet/dry sprayer system. Here's why it works so well:

Precision mixing: Dial in exact tablespoons-per-gallon ratiosConsistent application: Timer-based watering ensures each container gets identical treatmentEasy setup: Water-soluble fertilizer goes in the internal basket, water in the reservoir

For our Proven Winners fertilizer (2 tablespoons per gallon), we simply dial to "2 tablespoons" and apply for 90 seconds per container. The roses especially respond well to this consistent feeding schedule.

Lawn Care Philosophy: Simple but Effective

Everyone asks about our lawn maintenance, so here's our honest assessment: we don't think we do anything revolutionary, but consistency matters.

The Basic Formula

Seed mix: Standard perennial rye and bluegrass blend for our upstate New York climateIrrigation: Weather-dependent sprinkler system (3am start time, one hour per zone, every 2-3 days during dry spells)Professional support: Apex Turf handles fertilization, crabgrass prevention, and weed control (about 5 visits per season)Mowing: Weekly at 3-4 inch height with a Toro 21-inch walk-behind

Deep watering theory: Longer, less frequent watering encourages deep root development rather than shallow, weak root systems.

The Thicker Lawn Secret

Early in our lawn establishment, Scott's Thicker Lawn made a significant difference. This fall-applied product combines fertilizer, grass seed, and moisture retention technology. While we haven't needed it recently, it was crucial for getting our lawn established.

Edge Maintenance: Two Techniques, Both Effective

Our crisp garden edges get more questions than almost anything else. We've developed two different approaches that both deliver professional-looking results.

Technique #1: String Trimmer Method (Eric's Approach)

Tool: Standard weed whacker/string trimmerMethod: Turn the tool on its side, align the head with your desired edge lineKey insight: Look directly at where you're cutting, not ahead—looking ahead causes you to curve off coursePhysical demands: Requires arm strength and dexterity, but most homeowners already own this tool

Pro tip: The string naturally curves onto the mulch/compost, creating a softer, more natural-looking edge.

Technique #2: Dedicated Edger (Christopher's Approach)

Tool: Interchangeable head system with dedicated edger attachmentMethod: Wheel rides on grass, cutting plate spins to create precise edgesAdvantages: Much easier to control, perfect for straight lines, less physical strain

System benefits: Multiple attachments (string trimmer, brush cutter, pole pruner, hedge trimmer, blower) all use the same power head.

The No-Border Philosophy

We deliberately avoid permanent borders because our garden beds are constantly evolving. Flexible edges allow us to expand and modify planting areas as our vision develops.

Seasonal Timing: Why Late Summer Maintenance Matters

This comprehensive maintenance session comes at a crucial time:

Container adjustments: Plants that struggled in peak heat can be replaced with late-season performersWater feature cleaning: Before fall shutdown, ensure systems are running cleanlyEdge maintenance: Creates crisp lines that will look good through fallFertilization: Gives plants energy for end-of-season growth and flower production

The Satisfaction Factor

While maintenance tasks might not seem as exciting as plant shopping or design work, there's deep satisfaction in these essential chores. That moment when algae blasts away to reveal clean stone, when a struggling container transforms with new plants, or when crisp edges define your garden spaces—these are the moments that remind us why consistent care creates lasting beauty.

Looking Ahead: Seasonal Transitions

As we wrapped up this maintenance session, we were already thinking ahead:

Fall container transitions: Removing annuals, adding cold-weather interestWinter protection: Moving container roses to garage storageNext season planning: Learning from what worked and what didn't

Garden maintenance isn't just about fixing problems—it's about observing, learning, and constantly improving your outdoor spaces.

The best gardens aren't just well-designed; they're well-maintained. These regular investment of time and attention creates the foundation for those picture-perfect moments that make all the effort worthwhile.

Want to see where some of these replacement plants came from? Check out our recent garden center shopping video to see how we select plants for specific purposes.

Thanks for growing with us!