To-Do List: August Gardening Tips

August is an exciting time. After all, your flower beds are radiant and your vegetable garden is thriving!

Although it may seem like watering and weeding are your only tasks this month, there’s still a lot to do. Help your garden beat the heat and prep for fall at the same time.

Keep your garden beautiful during August:

Maintenance and Preparation

• Level low spots in your lawn.
• Remove weeds.
• Choose your autumn flower seeds and order in advance.
• Fertilize and fortify your lawn with Espoma’s Summer Revitalizer.
• Harvest produce regularly and hoe weekly to weaken weeds.
• Add compost and mulch to keep your garden cool and prepared for fall planting.
• Plant fall veggie starts or transplants.
• Remove fallen fruit from fruit trees to limit insect infestations.

Mind the Flowers

• Divide and transplant spring and summer-flowering perennials after they bloom.
• Spray water onto plants to evict seasonal pests like aphids, whiteflies and spider mites.
• Remove diseased foliage before leaves drop.
• Deadhead summer-flowering perennials and lightly shear to encourage more blooms.
• Move houseplants back indoors to acclimate them to limited sun exposure.

Water, Water, Water!

• Water plants deeply. Avoid getting leaves wet in the direct sun and avoid soaking containers during the hottest part of the day.
• Water before 9:00am. If you can’t water in the morning, aim for watering in the early evening, to avoid letting the water sit all night. Letting the water sit all night can cause mildew and disease.

Looking Ahead

• Fall is for planting! Start thinking about what shrubs and trees you want to include in your fall garden.
• Select and order spring flowering bulbs for pre-chilling.
• Cut or preserve your vegetables for winter use. Begin to save seeds and take cuttings.
• If you have a cold frame, make sure it is ready to use!
• When it’s planting time for your region, use colorful plastic golf tees to mark the location of dormant plants like spring bulbs or perennials.
• Don’t forget, it’s best to work during early morning or early evening so you don’t overheat!

Congratulations on all your hard work on the August garden!

How will you and your garden be celebrating the end of summer? Let us know in the comments!