August Gardening Calendar
August Gardening Calendar
Ornamentals
Weeks 1-4: Continue spraying roses that are susceptible to black spot and other fungus diseases.
Weeks 1-4: Annuals may appear leggy and worn now. These can be cut back hard and fertilized to produce a new flush of bloom.
Weeks 1-4: Deadhead annuals & perennials as needed.
Weeks 1-2: Divide oriental poppies now.
Weeks 1-2: Feed mums, asters and other fall-blooming perennials for the last time.
Weeks 1-2: Roses should receive no further nitrogen fertilizer after August 15th.
Weeks 1-2: Powdery mildew on lilacs is unsightly, but causes no harm and rarely warrants control, though common rose fungicides will prove effective.
Weeks 1-2: Madonna lilies, bleedingheart (Dicentra) and bloodroot (Sanguinaria) can be divided and replanted.
Weeks 1-2: Divide bearded Iris now. Discard old center sections, and borer damaged parts. Replant so tops of rhizomes are just above ground level.
Weeks 1-2: Prune to shape hedges for the last time this season.
Weeks 2-4: Order bulbs now for fall planting.
Weeks 2-4: 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.
Weeks 2-4: If you want to grow big dahlia flowers, keep side shoots pinched off and plants watered and fertilized regularly.
Lawns
Weeks 1-2: Zoysia lawns can receive their final fertilizer application now.
Weeks 1-2: Apply insecticides now for grub control on lawns being damaged by their activity.
Weeks 3-4: Lawns scheduled for renovation this fall should be killed with Roundup now. Have soil tested to determine fertility needs.
Week 4: Dormant lawns should be soaked now to encourage strong fall growth.
Week 4: Verify control of lawn white grubs from earlier insecticide applications.
Vegetables
Weeks 1-4: Compost or till under residues from harvested crops.
Weeks 1-3: Sow seeds of beans, beets, spinach and turnips now for the fall garden. Spinach may germinate better if seeds are refrigerated for one week before planting.
Weeks 1-3: Cure onions in a warm, dry place for 2 weeks before storing.
Week 1: Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower transplants should be set out now for the fall garden.
Weeks 2-4: Begin planting lettuce and radishes for fall now.
Weeks 3-4: Pinch the growing tips of gourds once adequate fruit set is achieved. This directs energy into ripening fruits, rather than vine production.
Fruits
Weeks 1-4: Prop up branches of fruit trees that are threatening to break under the weight of a heavy crop.
Weeks 1-3: Protect ripening fruits from birds by covering plants with a netting.
Weeks 1-3: Continue to spray ripening fruits to prevent brown rot fungus.
Week 1: Thornless blackberries are ripening now.
Weeks 2-4: Watch for fall webworm activity now.
Weeks 2-4: Cultivate strawberries. Weed preventers can be applied immediately after fertilizing.
Weeks 2-3: Spray peach and other stone fruits now to protect against peach tree borers.
Weeks 2-3: Fall-bearing red raspberries are ripening now.
Weeks 2-3: Sprays will be necessary to protect late peaches from oriental fruit moth damage.
Miscellaneous
Weeks 1-4: Soak shrubs periodically during dry spells with enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches.
Weeks 1-4: Once bagworms reach full size, insecticides are ineffective. Pruning off and burning large bags provides better control.
Weeks 1-2: Spray black locust trees now to protect against damage by the locust borer.
Weeks 2-4: Hummingbirds are migrating through gardens now.
Weeks 2-3: Watch Scotch & Austrian pines now for Zimmerman pine moth damage. Yellowing or browning of branch tips and presence of pitch tubes near leaf whorls are indicative. Prune and destroy infected parts.
Weeks 3-4: Clean out cold frames to prepare for fall use.
Weeks 3-4: Monitor plants for spider mite activity. Hose these pests off with a forceful spray of water.
Weeks 3-4: 2nd generation pine needle scale crawlers may be present on Mugo pine now.