August Gardening Calendar Week 4
Ornamentals
- Continue spraying roses that are susceptible to black spot and other fungus diseases.
- Annuals may appear leggy and worn now. These can be cut back hard and fertilized to produce a new flush of bloom.
- Deadhead annuals and perennials as needed.
- Order bulbs now for fall planting.
- Evergreens can be planted or transplanted now to ensure good rooting before winter arrives. Water both the plant and the planting site several days before moving.
- If you want to grow big dahlia flowers, keep side shoots pinched off and plants watered and fertilized regularly.
Lawns
- Lawns scheduled for renovation this fall should be killed now. Have soil tested to determine fertility needs.
- Dormant lawns should be soaked now to encourage strong fall growth.
- Verify control of lawn white grubs from earlier insecticide applications.
Vegetables
- Compost or till under residues from harvested crops.
- Begin planting lettuce and radishes for fall now.
- Pinch the growing tips of gourds once adequate fruit set is achieved. This directs energy into ripening fruits, rather than vine production.
Fruits
- Prop up branches of fruit trees that are threatening to break under the weight of a heavy crop.
- Watch for fall webworm activity now.
- Cultivate strawberries. Weed preventers can be applied immediately after fertilizing.
Miscellaneous
- Soak shrubs periodically during dry spells with enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches.
- Once bagworms reach full size, insecticides are ineffective. Pruning off and burning large bags provides better control.
- Hummingbirds are migrating through gardens now.
- Clean out cold frames to prepare for fall use.
- Monitor plants for spider mite activity. Hose these pests off with a forceful spray of water.
- 2nd generation pine needle scale crawlers may be present on mugo pine now.
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