The following "reminder list" is based on a Zone 6a growing region, which is centrally located for the North American growing areas. For areas north of Zone 6a add roughly one week per zone for any times given. For areas south, subtract roughly one week per zone. Don't know your hardiness zone? Find it quick on our "Plant Hardiness Zone Map". August is normally an oppressively hot, dry month and it is often hard to get motivated to be very active outdoors. However, your plants sill have needs and by making wise use use of the cooler temperatures of morning and evening, many gardeners are still able to accomplish great things. Watering, water conservation, weed control and preparing for fall will be your main concerns. This is not the time to put everything on a "to do" list for fall when it's cooler. Fall will be here soon and then the activity level raises dramatically. Fall is the second busiest time for gardeners and outdoor folks alike. So August is a time for maintaining, preparing for fall and relaxing when possible. Some savvy gardeners (myself included) even go so far as to string lights and take advantage of the cool of the evenings and early night (being considerate of nearby neighbors) to get many gardening chores done. Around The Garden Set out broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower transplants from the seed you sowed last month for a fall garden. Sow seeds of green onions, arugula, corn salad, kohlrabi, oriental greens, peas, rutabagas, spinach, carrots, collards, kale, short-season sweet corn, summer squash, lettuce, beets, turnips, winter radish, cilantro and dill for a fall harvest. Keep soil hilled around onions and garlic until the tops start to turn brown naturally to prevent "green shoulders". Keep the seed stalks cut off and harvest onions and garlic when the tops turn brown and fall over naturally. Don't bend the tops over. By now, if your garden is producing abundantly, you may be harvesting more than you can use or you may be tiring of some crops. Consider donating some of your harvest to a local food pantry so that others can also enjoy the fruits of your labor and experience fresh produce they may not otherwise receive. The compost pile will dry quickly during hot, dry weather. Give the compost pile a good stir and add water as needed. The pile should maintain the consistency of a wrung out sponge. Continue dead-heading and harvesting to prolong production but leave a few annuals to "self-seed" for next year. Continue your watering regimen. Water deeply and at least one inch per week and at least 4 to 6 inches deep. Start saving seeds of favorite plants and taking cuttings of favorite tender plants. Look for seed heads that are brown and papery; toss into a paper bag and let them continue to dry indoors in a warm dry location. Once the seeds are completely dry, store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place (like a refrigerator). Add a little powdered milk or a silica gel desiccant packet into the container to absorb any remaining moisture. Be sure to label and date the containers. Fall bulbs start arriving this month. Store the bulbs in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant next month. Plant seeds of perennials and biennials now for transplanting next spring. Clean up and discard (into the trash - not into the compost) diseased leaves before they are lost in the leaves of fall. Get weeding caught up now while growth is slower and before they have a chance to go to seed. Weeds will continue to grow vigorously in your irrigated garden, sapping water and nutrients from your other plants. Weeds also go to seed fast this time of year. Plant annual "Green manure" cover crops like buckwheat, and cowpeas now for digging into the soil in the fall. Spread a mid-season layer of compost or manure early this month. Begin dividing perennials later this month. Water well and mulch heavily. Pot up some of the perennial divisions for spring plant swaps and plant sales. Sink the pots into the ground this fall and they'll be one less chore in the spring. Get your fall-blooming crocus and colchicum planted early this month so they'll bloom on time. Cut back raspberry canes that fruited this year. Continue to hill soil around potatoes until the tops start to die back naturally. Continue harvesting fresh herbs for drying for fall and winter use. Continued harvesting will keep them growing into fall. Add more mulch where needed or decomposed. Take pictures of your garden now at its peak for winter reminders. Continue keeping watch for slug and snail damage and take appropriate steps when their presence is discovered.
Around The Landscape In August, zoysia, bermuda and other warm-season lawns should receive their final fertilizer application. If you haven't already, raise the mower cutting height as the temperatures increase and rain decreases. This will help conserve moisture by shading the ground and decrease stress on the grass. Water early in the day to allow the plants time to dry before night. Wet foliage increases fungal diseases. Water deeply each watering and use a lawn water gauge or other container to assure at least an inch of water with each watering. Continue to feed roses. Discontinue feeding roses (especially shrub roses) toward the end of August to allow them to harden off and new growth to slow before cold weather sets in. Prune back hybrid roses by about 1/3, early this month for fall bloom and keep up your spraying regimen. Add more mulch where needed or decomposed. Spread a mid-season layer of compost or manure early this month. Start planting trees, shrubs and perennials now, so they can take root, and keep them well watered and mulched. Start preparing the rose garden for new plants later this month. Continue your watering regimen. Water deeply and at least one inch per week. This includes trees, shrubs and lawns where practical. Take time now to make notes of what watering problems you had, improvements to be made and plants that didn't fair well in the hot weather. You will probably forget by the time next springs ordering comes around. Remove fallen fruit to keep disease and pests away. Continue to keep the birdbath cleaned and fresh water in it to provide for the birds and prevent mosquito's from hatching. Many fungal diseases thrive in the hot, dry conditions of summer. Keep a watch for fungal diseases (especially powdery mildew) and take steps early. Water early in the day and don't handle plants while they are wet to prevent spreading disease.
On The Patio Clean and reseal your deck or patio this month before the fall rains come and so it is ready for fall entertaining. Cut back the foliage of early bloomers like hardy geraniums, to revitalize the plants. Trim and feed hanging baskets to prolong their beauty. Closely monitor the moisture in container plants and especially hanging baskets as they will dry out quicker than other potted plants. Insulate the pots of your container plants to cool the soil and conserve moisture. Fully wrapped attic insulation that is covered with burlap or other decorative material works well and can be as attractive as your imagination will take you. Remove when the weather cools if you like. Cover the soil of your container plants with a layer of mulch to hold in moisture and help keep the soil cool. This can be removed when the weather cools if you like.
In The Shed Start preparing a place for your firewood where it will be off the ground and can be loosely covered to protect it from the weather. If possible, consider ordering your firewood now and avoid the fall rush and shortages of cured wood. Also consider ordering enough green wood this year to season for next years use. Don't forget to clean chimneys and flues before you start a fire this fall. Clean out gutters before the fall rains begin and leaves start to fall and install gutter guards. Make sure the bat houses are in good repair for your winter hibernating visitors. Make sure the cold frame is cleaned, repaired as needed and ready to go.
In The Home If you haven't done so already, order those fall bulbs now to arrive at proper planting time in September and October. Start ordering those fall-planted trees, shrubs and perennials. Fall is the best time for planting these.
For Yourself Throw a "Pool Closing Party" towards the end of the month with family and friends. Enjoy a late-evening dinner outside when the weather moderates. Decorate the patio with decorative lamps, torches and fresh flowers from your garden - just because you deserve it.
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The information presented in a gardeners calendar is derived from many sources including practical experience of the writer. While we strive to present only fact5ual information, no guarantee is given, whether expressed or implied as to its completeness or accuracy. PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises accepts no responsibility for any damages resulting from the use of this material. As with all things, PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises urges all readers to exercise sound reasoning before applying any information they may obtain from any source. |
