Summers bring intense sunlight, causing hot indoor temperatures, further leading to increased energy bills. Landscaping is an effective way to keep your outdoor and indoor living space cool in the summer. It is a common misconception that custom landscaping or investing in a significant landscaping feature is only for the aesthetic value and increasing the resale value of the property.
With several smart landscaping ideas, you may as well create a property that is equipped with efficient ways of cooling your property in summer. Our team at Down To Earth has curated a list of 7 landscaping ideas that help in staying naturally cool this summer.
1. Create the Shade You Crave
The direct heat of the sun is harmful to us, especially the afternoon heat. When the heat rages high, the shade trees provide the needed cover and shelter to stay cool. While a vertical vine garden grows much faster and can render results prior to any young trees, tall, mature shade trees offer the most shading area. Trees best produce cooling effects and provide a wider and denser shade for effective cooling. Read our blog to know how to choose the right tree for your landscape.
Consider planting shade trees in line with shrubbery or other landscaping features. This will help the wind or breezes to blow towards the house, keeping the cooling element.
2. Know the Climate and the Sun
The summer season affects varied regions differently. This factor also changes the landscaping strategies that will best suit the region you live in. While climate plays an important part here, identifying the hot spots or location of heat build-up in your landscape that retains heat and air feeling stagnant will help you understand the amount of work needed in your landscape to keep it cool during the summer.
Knowing and observing how heat is exchanged will also assist you in figuring out the most effective landscaping work to cool your property. While glass doors bring hot outdoor temperatures, shading the roof or your property with trees can slow the same heat exchange.
3. Consider Installing a Cooling Water Feature
Adding a water feature that can provide a cool and relaxing ambience in your landscape helps in creating a soothing environment even with the scorching sun in the afternoon. The running or sprinkling water freshens up your outdoor space while sometimes irrigating the surrounding landscape surface as well.
Running water features that can provide a refreshing touch to your property include but are not limited to fountains, streams, and waterfalls.
4. Maximize Shade with the Right Structure
Shade from trees blocks the direct heat of the sun. But what if you have enough greenery in your landscape and wish to include other landscape amenities to create an outdoor space with permanent shade structures? A custom-built free-standing gazebo will enhance the cooling factor of your landscape.
And to create such a room, you can use the deck or patio of your property or any other outdoor space, such as the space adjacent to a pool. These spaces can benefit you in forming a welcoming and comfortable space, maximizing both protection and enjoyment in the summer season.
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Air circulation helps in evaporating sweat, which further helps in feeling cooler, which is why humid locations have stagnant air. To increase the circulation of air around your property and landscape, you can install a wall or fence in your garden that allows air passage.
You may as well go for a metal screen or wood slat fence with space between, which can help circulate air and keep your backyard breezy and cool in hot climates.
6. Use Light Colors and Landscape Amenities
As mentioned earlier, instead of choosing something dark-colored, always go for landscape materials that are light-colored. Dark-colored objects are known to absorb heat and retain it. At the same time, cool materials or light-colored materials or objects reflect heat instead of absorbing it.
Consider this tip beyond outdoor seating, and expand the thought into all landscape enhancements, including hardscaping (dark pavement vs. light colored concrete), gazebos, etc.
7. Bring Plants Inside
Including indoor plants inside is an effective and environmentally friendly way to keep the temperature cool indoors. The plants inside lose during transpiration, cooling the air around while leaving it purified and fresh. Aloe vera, ficus tree, fern, and golden pothos, among others, can help keep the temperature cool and fresh.
Contact the Down To Earth professionals today to learn more or add some of these landscaping ideas to your property to naturally cool your landscape this summer.