August Garden Tips

August is another hot month for gardeners. Spread these monthly tasks throughout the week so you only spend a small amount of time in the garden each day. Start dreaming about cooler weather… and continue to pray for large amounts of rain!

THINGS TO PLANT

Flowers: Ageratum, Ajuga, Blue Daze, Boltonia, Cockscomb, Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia Hirta), Salvia, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Stokes’ Aster, and Zinnia.

Flower Seeds: Ageratum, Alyssum, amaranthus, Balsam, Bluebell, Calendula, Candytuft, Cleome, Coreopsis, Cornflower, Castor Bean, Cosmos (late), Cockscomb, Four-o-clock, Gerbera, Hollyhock, Impatiens, Linaria, Marigold (French), Moonflower, Morning Glory, Petunia, Portulaca, Sunflower, Tithonia, Flowering Tobacco, Zinnia.

Bulbs: Autumn Crocus (Colchicum), Hardy Cyclamen, Louisiana Iris, Liriope, Lycoris, Monkey Grass

Vegetables:

Early-Mid Month: Corn, Eggplant, Pepper, Southern Pea, Tomato, Winter Squash

Mid-Late Month: Bush, Beans, Potato

ALL Month: Cucumber, Summer Squash

tasks in the garden:

Fertilize: Fertilize fruiting vegetables after the first fruit set for higher productivity. Feed chrysanthemums every 2-3 weeks until buds appear, then weekly until buds show color. Fertilize roses for fall bloom. Feed berries and fruit showing poor color/vigor.

Water: Water all planted areas deeply but infrequently during dry periods. Outdoor container plants need daily watering. Keep azaleas and fruit trees watered well because spring blooms are developing.

Soil: Discard faded annuals and refurbish soil as needed. Prepare loose, well-drained beds for fall bulb planting. Clean up established garden beds. Turn the compost pile.

Lawn Care: Mow every 5-7 days, leaving the clippings on the lawn. Set mower higher in shady areas to promote denser turf. Avoid weed killers whenever temperatures are above 85 degrees.

Note: Avoid using weed killers containing atrazine, as this chemical leaches into our groundwater.

Diseases/pests to look for: Watch for cutworms on new tomato transplants; protect with paper collars around base 1” above and below ground. Watch for grub worms, chinch bugs and fire ants in lawns. Check for borers in peaches, plums, and other trees. Look for aphids and powdery mildew on crepe myrtles.

Prune: Prune roses back by 1/3. Deadhead spent blooms and seed pods from crape myrtles for continued blooms. Trim Photinias for red fall color. Remove dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees. Pinch chrysanthemums for the last time.

OTHER THINGS TO DO: Try this deer repellent: spray your plants with fermented hot peppers combined with dishwashing liquid. Hot mouth for the deer!