Here’s a gardener’s to-do list for August, 2025, by U.S. region

 Here’s a gardener’s to-do list for August, 2025, by U.S. region—when the heat is high, harvests are rolling in, and a season’s fatigue starts to show. It’s a month of maintenance, planning, and squeezing the last joy from summer before fall creeps in on golden feet.

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Northeast

• 🥕 Plant Fall Crops: Direct sow beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, spinach, and radishes.

• 💧 Water Deeply: Weekly soaking is better than frequent shallow watering.

• 🌻 Deadhead: Keep flowers blooming—cut back tired annuals and perennials.

• 🪓 Divide: Now’s a good time to divide irises and daylilies after flowering.

• 🍅 Harvest: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans—pick often to encourage more.

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Midwest

• 🥬 Sow Fall Veggies: Leafy greens, turnips, and peas can still be planted.

• 🌼 Tidy Beds: Cut back spent blooms, especially on coneflowers and black-eyed Susans.

• 🌿 Weed Aggressively: Don’t let weeds go to seed this late in the game.

• 🌧️ Check for Blight: Watch tomatoes and squash for signs of disease.

• 🧄 Plan Ahead: Order garlic for fall planting.

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Southeast

• 🥒 Late Crops: Sow beans, squash, cucumbers for a final summer harvest.

• 🥬 Start Fall Garden: Begin seeds indoors or in shaded beds for broccoli, cabbage, and collards.

• 🐞 Scout for Pests: Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and armyworms are active—act fast.

• 🧹 Prune Lightly: Trim back leggy annuals and deadhead flowers.

• 🌾 Mulch: Reapply mulch to retain moisture and cool roots.

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Southwest

• ☀️ Water Wisely: Water deeply in early morning; mulch to prevent evaporation.

• 🥦 Start Cool Crops: Begin fall garden planning—start broccoli, cauliflower, and chard indoors.

• 🌼 Deadhead Flowers: Encourage another flush of bloom.

• 🌾 Weed Control: Dry weeds go to seed fast—remove before they spread.

• 🪣 Compost: Keep turning; summer heat accelerates decomposition.

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Pacific Northwest

• 🥕 Plant for Fall: Beets, spinach, lettuce, and peas can still go in.

• 🌧️ Watch for Powdery Mildew: Especially on squash and cucumbers—remove infected leaves.

• 🌿 Harvest Herbs: Dry or freeze basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley.

• 🧄 Order Fall Bulbs: Tulips, garlic, daffodils—get ready for September planting.

• 🍅 Stake Tomatoes: Heavy fruit needs support this time of year.

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Mountain West

• 🥬 Fall Crops: Direct sow spinach, kale, lettuce, and radishes.

• 🌻 Harvest Daily: Zucchini and cucumbers can get oversized fast.

• 🧤 Protect From Heat: Shade cloth can help young fall crops survive hot days.

• 🌸 Deadhead Perennials: Encourage rebloom on echinacea, salvia, and more.

• 🧪 Check Soil Moisture: Especially for containers and raised beds.

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California

• 🥗 Plant for Fall: Start brassicas and leafy greens from seed.

• ☀️ Irrigate Smart: Use drip irrigation or early morning watering to conserve.

• 🐜 Control Pests: Watch for whiteflies, spider mites, and scale insects.

• 🌸 Late Summer Color: Plant zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers for continued bloom.

• 🪓 Prune Lightly: Cut back leggy herbs and annuals; remove dead foliage.

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August is a balancing act—between heat and harvest, hustle and rest. The wise gardener tends with purpose, plans with vision, and lets the sweat of August sow the beauty of fall.

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Here are the latest garden news and events scheduled for August 2025 in the Midwest

 

🌳 1. 47th Annual Mid‑America Bonsai Exhibition — Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe, IL)
Mark your calendars for August 15–17, 2025, when bonsai enthusiasts convene for one of the nation’s largest regional bonsai showcases. Now in its 47th year, the exhibition will feature over 50 world-class trees from across the Midwest, with guest master demos, vendor booths, and a tree-judging competition in the Regenstein Center. Admission is included with garden entry (extra for parking/ticket) midwestbonsai.org

🌾 2. UW–Madison Agronomy & Soils Field Day — Madison, WI
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the University of Wisconsin–Madison hosts its annual Agronomy & Soils Field Day. Though primarily geared toward farmers, it offers valuable sessions on fruit & vegetable production, pest and disease management, emerging crops, and soil fertility—perfect for gardeners looking to deepen their field-tested knowledge. 
cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu
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🪴 3. K‑State Garden Hour Webinar — Kansas State University
Gardening minds across Kansas are invited to the K‑State Garden Hour on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 (noon–1 pm CST). This live webinar series features a series of topics; the August edition will focus on the latest innovations in horticulture research, offering insights you can incorporate at home. 
hnr.k-state.edu

🍃 4. Beal Botanical Garden Forest‑Bathing Tour — MSU, East Lansing, MI
Take a midday retreat on August 14, 2025, from 12:10–1 pm, with a guided Forest Bathing session in Michigan State University’s Beal Botanical Garden. Facilitated by Community & Sustainability Coordinator Angelica Bajos, this mindful garden immersion invites participants to refresh and reconnect amidst native plantings. 
bealbotanicalgarden.msu.edu

These events offer something for every type of gardener—from bonsai aficionados to field-crop learners, home gardeners, and those seeking peaceful reflection. Which one sparks your interest?

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Armeria - The Resilient Seaside Bloom

When to Plant Seeds for a Fall Vegetable Garden — Our Regional Guide for the U.S.

Fall gardens are the unsung heroes of the vegetable world—quieter, cooler, and often more productive than their summer cousins. But timing is everything. Knowing when to plant seeds for a fall harvest depends on your region's first frost date and the time each crop needs to mature. Here's a regional breakdown to help you sow with confidence.

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🌾 Southeast (Zones 7–9)

States: Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, etc.
Start planting: Mid-July to early September

Hot summers linger, but by late July you can start seeds for collards, kale, turnips, carrots, and mustard greens. Beans, squash, and cucumbers can be sown for a quick fall crop in late July or early August. Heat-tolerant seedlings like broccoli and cabbage should be started indoors in July and transplanted in August once the worst heat passes.

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🌻 Northeast & Midwest (Zones 4–6)

States: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Michigan, Illinois, etc.
Start planting: Late July to mid-August

With shorter growing seasons, timing is tight. Count backwards from your first frost date, then add 7–10 days as a buffer. Sow lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets, and bush beans in late July through early August. Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower should be transplanted by mid-August. Garlic can go in by October for next year’s harvest.

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🌽 Southwest (Zones 7–10)

States: Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, west Texas
Start planting: Late August through October

Hot, dry summers delay fall planting until temps begin to moderate. Start seeds for chard, kale, carrots, beets, and lettuce in early September. Wait until October to sow spinach, onions, and garlic. Use shade cloth early on to protect seedlings from lingering heat.

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🌱 Pacific Northwest (Zones 6–9)

States: Oregon, Washington, northern California
Start planting: Mid-July to late August

The cool, moist climate favors fall crops. Start lettuce, spinach, and brassicas like broccoli and cauliflower in mid-July indoors, and transplant them by mid-August. Root crops like carrots and beets should go in no later than early August. A second sowing of peas in late August can yield a modest fall crop.

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🌾 Plains & Rockies (Zones 3–6)

States: Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Dakotas, etc.
Start planting: Late July to early August

The shorter growing season means acting fast. Start radishes, spinach, arugula, turnips, and lettuce in late July. Transplant broccoli and cabbage by early August. Protect crops from early frost with row covers or cold frames.

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🧄 General Tips

• Use your average first frost date as a countdown.

• Choose fast-maturing varieties.

• Consider succession planting for staggered harvests.

• Row covers or low tunnels can extend your season by weeks.

• Don't forget to water regularly—fall weather may be dry in many regions.

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A fall garden offers crisp harvests, fewer pests, and a sense of quiet purpose. With a little planning and regional savvy, you can reap another round of blessings before winter settles in. Ready your seed trays, sharpen your tools, and let the second season begin.

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Can This Yellow Flower Really Chase Away Sadness?

 

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Asiatic Jasmine – Your Evergreen, Easy, Weed-Smothering Solution

 

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Should You Fertilize Your Garden in the Summer?

 

As the summer sun climbs high and gardens brim with life, many gardeners wonder: Should I fertilize during the heat of summer, or will I do more harm than good? The answer, like much in gardening, lies in understanding your plants, your soil, and the climate you’re working with.

Summer fertilization can be beneficial, especially for heavy feeders like tomatoes, squash, and container-grown plants that rapidly deplete soil nutrients. However, fertilizing in the peak of summer heat must be done with care. Heat-stressed plants, already struggling to retain moisture and function properly, may react poorly to a sudden influx of nitrogen—resulting in scorched leaves or accelerated dehydration. Slow-release organic fertilizers, compost teas, and diluted liquid feeds are gentler options that can give your plants the boost they need without overwhelming them. Always water deeply before and after applying any fertilizer to help nutrients reach the root zone and reduce the risk of root burn.

Ultimately, the best approach is to test your soil, observe your plants, and consider the temperature. If leaves are green and growth is steady, hold off. If your plants look pale or sluggish despite adequate watering, a mid-season feed might be just the ticket. Like a good Southern supper, timing and moderation make all the difference.

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Meet Pachysandra: The Low-Key Legend of Shade Gardens.

 

 

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Lamium - The Silver in Your Romantic Shade Garden

 

 

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How to protect plants in heat waves!

 

When summer turns ruthless and the sun beats down like a forge hammer, your garden doesn't have to shrivel in surrender. Here's what else you can do to protect plants in heat waves—beyond the usual mulch-and-water routine:

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1. Water at the Right Time

• Early morning is best—before 9 a.m. This reduces evaporation and gives roots time to soak in moisture before the heat strikes.

• Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth.

2. Use Shade Wisely

• Drape shade cloth (30–50% density for most vegetables) over tender crops.

• Use garden umbrellas, lattice panels, or old bed sheets in a pinch.

• Tall plants like corn or sunflowers can also serve as living shade for shorter, heat-sensitive neighbors.

3. Create Windbreaks

• Dry wind worsens heat stress. Use burlap screens or temporary fencing to cut wind exposure without completely blocking airflow.

4. Boost Soil Health

• Add compost to improve moisture retention and nutrient availability.

• Consider adding hydrogels or water-absorbing crystals to potting soil in containers.

5. Skip the Fertilizer

• Avoid synthetic fertilizers during heat waves—these can stress plants further.

• If necessary, apply diluted seaweed or compost tea instead for a gentle tonic.

6. Group Containers Together

• Grouping potted plants provides mutual shading and maintains humidity.

• Move them to shaded spots (east-facing sides, under trees, or porches).

7. Cut Back on Pruning

• Pruning exposes inner foliage to sunlight—best to wait until temps moderate.

8. Use Reflective Mulch or Stones (with caution)

• Light-colored stones or aluminum foil reflect light upward and can slightly reduce surface temps—but only where heat-tolerant plants grow, as this can backfire for tender ones.

9. Monitor for Heat Scorch and Leaf Curl

• Watch for leaf scorch, wilting, or leaf roll—signs that your plants need protection or water adjustments.

• Remove damaged foliage after the heat passes to avoid additional stress.

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Gardens are resilient, but only if we outwit the weather like seasoned field generals. A gardener’s vigilance, with a dash of foresight and some old-fashioned ingenuity, keeps even the most tender shoots from burning out.

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