August Garden Tips
First Week
- Getting late to root cuttings of shrubs and houseplants for propagating. You’re on the margin.
- Divide daylilies.
- Getting a little late also to plant summer grasses.
- This is the last month to fertilize Centipede and St. Augustine.
- Give ferns a light feeding now if you plan to bring them in for the autumn.
Second Week
- Remove faded Crape Myrtle blooms.
- Pick bagworms from Juniper and Leylands and dispose of them off the property.
- Set out plants of lettuce, cabbage, collards and broccoli.
- Keep an eye out for poison ivy/oak. Spray with Round Up or Brush-B-Gone. One application won’t get it. Give it three, every ten days.
Third Week
- Time to start thinking about fall composting with “weed/disease free” grass clippings and faded flowers.
- Continue watering, one inch, once a week if drought is still with us.
- Keep an eye out for Lace Bugs on Azaleas and Pyracanthas. Use insecticidal soap or diazinon if you still have some.
Fourth Week
- Raise lawn mower one notch to keep grass shaded and conserve water.
- Keep Azaleas and Camellias well watered.
- Dig and store Gladiolus corms as soon as the tops turn yellow if you plan to store them.
- Hold off until September to start fall grass planting.
- Whatever you do read the label and follow the manufacturer’s instructions!
For additional information, please contact your local County Extension Coordinator.
