August Garden Calendar
Vegetables and Fruits
- Water about 1 inch per week
- Plant a fall garden: beets, carrots, beans, and turnips for autumn harvest
- Plant transplants of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage for fall production
- Harvest crops on a regular basis for season long production
- Ease fruit loads on branches by propping with wooden supports
- Net ripening fruit to protect from hungry birds
- Fertilize strawberry bed for added flower bud development
- Turn compost pile and add water when dry
Flowers
- Apply 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week to gardens
- Divide irises and daylilies during this dormant period
- Make last application of fertilizer to roses by mid-month
- Control black spot and other rose diseases
- Fertilize mums, hardy asters, and other fall blooming perennials
- Deadhead annuals to encourage late season blossoms
- Cut back and fertilize annuals to produce new growth and fall blooms
- Sow hollyhocks, poppies, and larkspur for spring blooms
- Prepare for fall bulb planting by making orders or researching varieties
- Take cuttings from geraniums and begonias for wintering indoors
Lawns
- Water bluegrass one to two times, per week, applying a total of about 1 ½ inches of water
- Water tall fescue one to two times, per week, applying a total of 1 inch of water
- Apply last application of fertilizer to Zoysia by mid-month
- Be on the lookout for grubs and apply proper control methods
- Start planning for fall renovation projects such as aerating and seeding
- Check sharpness of mower blades and repair
- Mow turf as needed depending on summer growth
- Destroy unwanted Zoysia and Bermuda grass
- Take a soil test to determine a fertility program
Trees and Shrubs
- Water young trees every 1 to 2 weeks by thoroughly soaking the root system
- Prune and shape hedges
- Check mulch layers and add more if needed
- Prune broken, dead or crossing limbs for healthier plants
- Check young trees and shrubs for girdling wires, and ropes from planting and remove
- Avoid fertilizing ornamentals now so they harden off before winter
- Hand remove bagworms
Houseplants
- Water houseplants regularly and fertilize to promote growth
- Check plants for insects such as scales, aphids, and spider mites
- Wash plants to remove dust layers
- Make cuttings and repot plants before summer sun slips away
