Saturday, August 01, 2009

GARDENING CHORES FOR AUGUST

AUGUST

Make some notes on what you need to add to next years garden while
you can see what's blooming!

Dig potatoes after the tops have died down.

Prune off those strawberry runners to keep your strawberry bed orderly.

Buy fall mums.

Water any newly planted shrubs and trees.

Stop pruning shrubs.

Don't fertilize anymore until the leaves begin to change color. If you fertilize late in the summer, it causes a flush of growth which will probably be "nipped" by frost. So, hold off a bit.

Sow forget-me-not seed. The make an attractive carpet planting
for tulip beds

This is also a good time to sow poppy seeds! August sown seed gives richer-colored flowers, so give that a try.

Cut off foliage of bleeding heart, which has probably become unsightly.

Apply fertilizer around peonies and scratch it into the soil. If you want to transplant or divide them, this would be the time.

Treat for Powdery Mildew. Try this recipe: 1 1/2 tablespoon baking soda, 1 gallon of water and 2-3 tablespoons of horticultural oil. Spray it on all the susceptible plants every other week or so.

Plant colchicum's and fall crocuses.

Order your spring bulbs if you haven't already!

Cuttings from English Ivy now will produce good house plants for
winter.

Are you remembering the lawn mower should be set at 2 1/2 to 3 inches to help the grass stay hydrated? Cutting the grass lower will be very stressful!

Reseed any bare spots in the lawn with some mixed grass seed varieties. Be sure to pick a mixture that is best for your conditions.

If you have an amaryllis outside, now would be the time to think about
bringing it inside.

Still time to sow lettuces and greens, carrots, beets and turnips (don't worry about how big they get...they ALL taste wonderful while still immature!) Then of course, there are radishes. Be sure to keep all of these well watered, also, a bit of mulch will keep the tender roots cool. As far as avoiding early frosts, a row cover will help there!

Get some netting over the blueberries! Remember the birds and small animals are great at crawling UNDER and THROUGH the netting. Try staking it so they can't reach the berries from the outside. If they get in, you'll live to regret it. Talk about a mess!!!

Have you any Hosta? Are there slugs chewing them? Try this solution, if you haven't already.
Combine 9 parts water to 1 part common household ammonia and spray it on the hosta just before dark. When the slugs hit this, they will dissolve!

Your plants in hanging baskets and containers have been roaring through the nutrients in their soil. It's time to give them a trim and a good feeding to help them continue to flourish.

It's a good time to plant perennials, shrubs and trees. This will allow them to establish some good roots before the ground freezes.

6 Comments:

At August 02, 2009, Anonymous Kristina said...

Your blog is so wonderful! I am wondering . . . are your August tips only for New England? I live in Atlanta. Can I begin your August gardening chores now, or would it be too early for Georgia?

 
At August 02, 2009, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

Hi Kristina,
Thanks for the kudos! :-)
I think for a lot of them, it might be too early. But some of them are really for anytime...Atlanta included. I would guess if you used your judgment, you could figure out which are which. If not, ask me specifics. OR call your local extension service. I'm sure they could help.

 
At August 10, 2009, Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks for the tips! I'm a novice, (and a bumbling male) but as my children get older, I find that gardening is taking up the time that used to be devoted to running to sports and other activities. I really want to create a garden that is a riot of color and life.

 
At August 10, 2009, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

You're so welcome! Have fun with that "riot". At least you don't have to drive to it! (I have 3 grown kids at this point, so I know the drill!)

 
At August 11, 2009, Blogger Unknown said...

Should poppy seeds be sown on dedicated soil or will they mix in well with pre-existing perennials?
Thanks!

 
At August 11, 2009, Blogger North Country Maturing Gardener said...

It depends on what you want. If you want a large "piece" of poppy color, which is striking,then plant the seeds in a common spot. If you want that color dispersed throughout the garden...then do that.
Gardening is a totally individual thing where this is concerned. As long as the soil and sun exposure are good for that plant, you can pretty much do whatever you'd like with it!
AND remember, you can always move (or pull) things that don't please you!

 

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