The Gardener's To-Do List for August

 

 

 

It's August! At this time of year, many garden chores are common to all regions of the United States. Frankly, the list for this month hasn't changed that much from the last, but there are a few different points to consider. Here they are, though this is not an exhaustive list.

For all gardens

• Avoid overheating! Do your garden chores early in the morning or late afternoon. Heat stroke is a very real danger and should not be ignored.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
  
• Get ready for fall!
• Start flower and vegetable seedlings for transplanting to your fall garden.
• Fertilize when needed. Check for yellowing leaves and slowed growth.
• If using synthetic granular fertilizer, water your garden first, apply fertilizer to moist soil, then water again. This will help to incorporate the amendment into the soil and reduce the risk of fertilizer burn.
• Be on the lookout for insect pests. Pick them off, if possible, and destroy them. If pesticides are necessary, consider organic alternatives. Always read label instructions. 
• Heat and humidity can contribute to plant diseases. Check your garden closely for signs of infection and remove affected plants to the compost bin.
  
• Check your irrigation to make sure you are watering wisely and conserving as much as possible. Adjust as needed. This is especially important in arid regions.
• Add finished compost to your garden beds.
• Turn your compost pile, again.

For vegetable gardens

• Plant vegetable seedlings or starter plants for your fall garden.
• Keep pruning your vegetable plants. Tomatoes, cucumbers and other trellised plants will produce better crops if suckers are pinched off and unnecessary growth is removed.
• Pick some types of fruiting vegetables before they fully mature to prevent the plants from ceasing production. This is especially true of cucumbers!
• Remove spent vegetable plants and compost them.

For flower gardens

• Fertilize your roses, again.
• Deadhead flowers to keep the plants producing.
• Prune coleus, stick the cuttings in fresh, moist potting soil and place them in the shade where they can root and be transplanted to your garden or containers.
• Remove spent annuals and compost them.
• Cut and dry flowers and herbs for later use.
• Plant fall-blooming crocus.
• Make plans to order your spring-blooming bulbs.
  

For lawns

• Check oil level, air filter and tire pressure on your lawn mower before every use.
  
• Water deeply only once or twice per week. Frequent shallow watering encourages shallow root penetration and causes the plants to need more frequent watering. Add watering days if the lawn looks stressed.
  
• Watch for fungus diseases. If you can’t identify them, take samples or photos to your nearby Cooperative Extension Office for diagnosis and recommendations.

For shrubs and trees

• Don’t forget to water them DEEPLY during dry spells.
• Watch for insect pests and treat accordingly.
  
• Remove and burn dead wood.
• Avoid pruning after mid-August.
  

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