August and January are the months when I ’m most implicated about how my garden looks from inside my house . There are some days in August when I honestly just do n’t desire to go out and face the heat . But my plants postulate me to push through and get a few things done . When possible , take advantage of slightly cool forenoon to get essential garden tasks out of the way .
curve back roses again . Don’t be afraid tocut roses backin August . In most cases you will be rewarded with a flush of blooms in the crepuscle . thin back cane to 24 to 30 in above the footing to further this 2d charge . If rose foliage is diseased , be certain to apply good sanitisation practices including wiping pruners with germicide between cut and bewilder pathological stuff in the trash .
Seed genus Brassica . Believe it or not , the beginning of August is the perfect time to seed nerveless - season crop — specifically , brassicas . Brassica oleraceais the main species gardeners are concerned with growing out of this genus . Broccoli , cauliflower , kale , Brussels sprout , collard greens , Savoy cabbage , Brassica oleracea gongylodes , and gai lan are all cultivars ofBrassica oleracea . This means they are all unlike forms of the same plant , which is astonishing ! Many of these plants have strikingly beautiful variety that can be produce in ornamental gardens as well . So this year , originate some to eat but also some to use strictly as cosmetic winter annual . In the South , tumid plantings may need to be cover with a light shadowiness netting until cooler weather arrives .
check that your garden stays well watered . On the list of most obvious tasks this month is watering . Potted plants and hanging baskets may necessitate to be water daily . However , I do n’t recommend that you irrigate everything every day just because it ’s red-hot alfresco . deal each plant and container of industrial plant in your garden like an person . If something is systematically dampish , do n’t feel the compulsion to water it in an effort to satisfy your own nurturing instincts . plant that are overwatered run to get used to a easygoing modus vivendi and will continue to demand more and more of your attention over sentence . southerly gardener may want to pay particular attention to azaleas ( Rhododendronspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) and camelia ( Camelliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 6–10 ) this clip of year , as they are forming heyday buds for next twelvemonth . If you have a crop of Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya ( Ficus carica , Zones 7–9 ) that have start out to mature , make certain those last out well water to ensure yield quality .
Bulk up your bulb supply . The early shuttlecock gets the best option of spring - bloom bulbs . If you desire the undecomposed extract , start scouring catalogs and your favourite site this calendar month . Choosing fall - planted , spring - bloom bulb that flower in succession is a great fashion to extend your leaping - blossom time of year . For example , you may choose daffodils that are sort as early , midseason , and later bloom . Choose carefully and you could have the longest show of spring - flowering bulbs on the block . look for a outstanding newfangled bulb ? Check out these testimonial :
separate rhizomatous iris clumps . In Greek mythology , Iris was the goddess of the rainbow ; she was a messenger who convey an arc of gloss to the sky . In our garden , the bloom of iris diaphragm ( Irisspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) convey a rainbow of color to our landscape painting . To keep fleur-de-lis healthy and growing stiff , divide rhizomatous iris varieties now . This include the favourite tall bewhiskered iris diaphragm . ensure you do not found new carve up rhizomatous irises too deep . The top half of the rootstalk should be endanger . Sometimes a irregular stake can help keep a rhizome in position . Most iris benefit from section every three years or so to keep them front their best . want more info on dividing irises?Read on here .
Be on the watch for pecan weevil . Southern gardeners should take care out for pecan weevil ( Curculio caryae ) this month , which can be a serious late - season pestilence of both pecan and hickory tree diagram nuts . The adult female weevil emerges from the earth this time of year and crawl or flies up into the tree and manducate a hole into nut , where she lay her eggs . chow then feed in on the nut ’s interior ( the respectable part ! ) . Sanitation is primal to preventing as much wrong as potential to your nut crop . Pick up damage ball each class , and dispose of them as well as the drained stick and twigs on the ground around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Some gardener find it helpful to use a gluey trapping barrier product around tree trunks or so 6 fundament off the ground . This method acting produces assorted final result but might make you feel like you ’re being proactive even if it is only marginally helpful .
Final August Thoughts
In August I make a point of trim erstwhile blooms off my chaste Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ( Vitex agnus - castus , Zones 6–9 ) to encourage further flowering . Do this and you will have bloom until hoar . If you have a cool - time of year lawn skunk such as fescue , continue the process of cut down as gamy as potential . This will shadow out boney warm - time of year grass competition as well as broadleaf gage . Additionally , it ’s just better for theoverall health of your lawn . Start scolding your neighbour for go overboard with pruning of Tree and shrubs . This is peculiarly true of hedging plant such as box ( Buxusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) , hemlock ( Tsugaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) , and holly ( Ilexspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) . Doing so will most likely ensue in a flush of new emergence that will not be able-bodied to harden off in time for winter . But most importantly , as August dawns , raise a glass to all you have accomplished this yr . If your garden is looking good , felicitate yourself . If there is still room for advance , make musical note and make variety . The neat thing about horticulture is that there is always next year .
— Andy Pulte is a faculty appendage in the industrial plant sciences department at the University of Tennessee .
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In between heat waves, find the time for garden chores and garden appreciation.Photo: Andy Pulte
Roses cut be cut back hard again now for a fresh flush of growth going into fall.Photo: Fionuala Campion
Consider mixing in brassicas such as kale with ornamental plantings for added texture.Photo: Chris Schlenker
Make sure plants are well watered, but not overwatered, in the August heat.Photo: Andy Pulte
Be sure not to miss out on favorite spring-flowering bulb varieties, like this ‘Cassata’ daffodil (Narcissus‘Cassata’, Zones 4–8).Photo: Andy Pulte
Newly divided irises should be well watered for several days after division.Photo: Andy Pulte
Pecans that have been affected by pecan weevil grubs are not fit for human consumption.Photo: Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting this month.Photo: Jim Kincannon
