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FeedAugust 2007 Garden Tips
• Now is a good time to take pictures of your gardens—when they are at their peak—so you will have a record if you’re planning to make any landscaping changes next year.• During the hot and sometimes windy days of August, be sure to water all those colorful hanging baskets on a daily basis. They need plenty of water. Don’t forget to continue to fertilize all your annuals regularly.
• Provide consistent, even moisture for tomatoes to help prevent deformed fruit.
• Remember that lawns need at least 1 inch of water per week. It is better to water more heavily at each watering rather than more frequently with less water. Lawns will develop a healthier and deeper root system when watered longer and less frequently.
• Thin out overcrowded perennials to insure hardy new growth for the transplanted plant. Cut back flowering stems. Then cut the plant itself back by half and dig out remaining soil around the roots. Once it is in its new home, water thoroughly and follow up watering every day or so to give the roots a chance to grab on to the plant’s new home.
• Some perennials begin to look untidy by August. Remove any flower stalks and clean up general plant debris. Regular cleaning up helps deter soil pests and prevents the spread of disease.
• Do not neglect your weeding. Weeds rob the soil of valuable nutrients that your plants need. Being diligent now will mean fewer weeds next spring.
A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. – James Dent
• Watch out for yellowjackets while working in the yard this time of year. If you find a yellowjacket nest, spray it only at dusk and use extreme caution. Never run from yellowjackets.
• August is a great time to start refreshing your containers or fill in those bare areas in your garden with some new perennials. Many garden centers begin carrying fall annuals, which will give a fresh look to your tired summer containers.
• Are the inner needles of your evergreens turning brown this time of year? Don’t worry. Shedding older needles is a normal process.
• Many flowering plants begin to set seed and now is a good time to collect them for sowing next spring. Simply snip off complete seed heads in a paper bag. Spread out the contents and separate the seeds. Pour them into airtight containers, label, and store in a cool, dark place.
• Divide and reset irises and daylilies in late August. Begin cutting back on fertilizer for perennials and roses, too. They need time to harden to prepare for the coming winter.
• Also avoid fertilizing trees and shrubs now. Fertilization encourages new growth that would not harden off before winter.
• The time to fertilize your lawn for the “end of summer,” however, is near. Remember to mow as often as needed until the snow flies.
• Prune your raspberries after your harvest is complete. Cut away all dead branches and sucker plants.
• Harvest your fruit trees as they ripen, leaving spurs—the woody stub or short branch that produces the clusters of flowers and fruit—intact.
• The weeks between late August and early September often bring more rainfall and cooler nights. This is the best time of year to seed grass. Do accomplish the task by mid-September, as grass that germinates later than that may not develop an adequate room system to survive the winter. Be sure to keep all seeded areas well watered.
Resources
Mickman Brothers, Inc.763-413-3000
Devon’s Gardens
763-323-2096
Dundee Nursery and Floral
952-894-8740
Linder’s Garden Center
651-488-1927
TerraVista Landscape & Design
612-788-7500
Villa Landscapes
Burnsville
952-894-1553
Maple Grove
763-425-9277
Oakdale
651-773-7440
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