August is the time for enjoying your garden and  using it as a part of your living space.  Make mental notes of what works for you and what doesnÕt.  In the fall, when the weather cools down, you may want to make changes or build on an existing theme.  Fall is the best time to plant, since it allows plants to establish themselves before the onset of cold winter months.  Once Spring rolls around your plants will already have an established root structure and will be able to take full advantage of good growing conditions.

Take advantage of  AugustÕs long days by fertilizing everything one last time before winter.   We recommend using an organic fertilizer that will add humus to the soil.  A final growth spurt in August will allow the new growth time to harden off before the first winter freeze.

Watering is very important this time of year.  Try to water in the early morning and evening to avoid evaporation and leaf scorch.  Studies have revealed that plants open tiny pores in their leaves, stola, in response to bird song, so morning and evening watering are also excellent times for foliar feeding if you have a liquid fertilizer that you like to use.

 

August Gardening Checklist

Annuals

August is a relatively low-maintenance month for flowers, but regular watering isn't the only task that will keep your garden in top shape.

á           Keep deadheading flowers as they fade; not only will the plants look better, but if they're allowed to produce and shed their seeds, they're more likely to stop producing new blooms.

á           In areas with mild winters and longer growing seasons, annuals should have another feeding of fertilizer in late summer.

 

Perennials

Along with the tips below, water perennials weekly and deeply. To check on water levels, trowel into the soil and look for moisture to a depth of three or four inches, or deep enough to ensure that water is reaching roots.

 

á           Deadhead spent blooms before they have a chance to seed.

á           Dahlias are probably getting leggy right about now; if so, support them with stakes.

á           Iris and other early-blooming perennials can still be divided this month and even into September. Choose a cool day or time of day, and give them a tall drink of water in their new locations.

á           If you're gardening in a mild climate, fertilize roses once again this month.

 

Lawns

Since August is usually the hottest month of the year, watering is a top priority in lawn care.

 

á           Water deeply once a week (more often during scorching dry spells) for an hour at a shot.

á           Raise the cutting height on your mower to keep grass longer, conserving water and helping roots stay cool.

á           If water is scarce, consider letting your lawn go dormant, and reduce watering to once a month. It may look a little scrappy, but that glowing green hue will return with fall rains.

á           Wildflower seeds tend to be ripe by late summer, so if you have a meadow to mow, this is a good month to hop on the tractor.

 

 

Planting

Here are a few tips for extending your growing season:

 

á           Early in the month, plant seeds in the ground for fall and winter vegetables such as spinach, radishes, scallions, carrots, and lettuces.

á           There's still time to transplant greens such as kale and collards, broccoli, cauliflower, and early cabbage.

á           Container plants, including perennials, trees, and shrubs, can be put in the ground now, but need plenty of water.

á           Plant crocus bulbs for delicate splashes of fall color.

 

Pest control

Keep up the battle against slugs and aphids.

 

á           Slugs will tend to be more abundant now due to extra watering; plant saucers of stale beer around the garden, especially around mulched areas (a favorite slug hiding place) and near tender greens.

á           At first notice of aphids, hose-blast them off of leaves or spray them with an insecticidal soap.

 

Weeds

Extra watering and hot weather make August a red-letter month for weeds.

 

á           Expect weeds to germinate and drop their seeds faster; pull them out as soon as they pop up.

 

Pruning and grooming

Shrubs and trees are approaching dormancy and should not be pruned except in mild climates. In colder climes, they may not have time to harden off before the cold weather sets in.

 

á           Prune hybrid roses late in the month.

á           Cut back lavender once it has finished flowering.

á           Pinch back tomato plants for a higher yield.

á           Prune raspberries after the last harvest: Cut out old flowering canes, leaving shoot tips and three or four younger canes per foot of raspberry row.

 

Harvest

To avoid giving pests a free lunch, pick fruits and vegetables as soon as they're ripe.

 

á           It's apple-pickin' time! Early apples should be ready to pick this month.

á           Garlic and onions can generally be harvested now; pick them when you notice their dry tops beginning to fall over, and let them air-dry.

á           Harvest raspberries, which should be producing the last of their fruit this month.

á           Tomatoes and melons should be harvested as soon as they're ripe, before pests have a chance to dig in.

 

 

Greenhouse

Be especially vigilant about ventilation and watering needs in the greenhouse this month.

 

á           Take cuttings of geraniums.

á           Give tomatoes plenty of water and food.

Gardening is an excellent way to stay young.