Landing the Perfect Landscape: The Essential Checklist for August Gardening
The hottest month of the year is finally here. By now, your blooms are full of color and your vegetable garden is thriving.
But your job isn’t done just yet! August is the perfect time to give plants a boost of TLC, helping your garden beat the heat and prep for fall at the same time.
Follow these tips to keep your garden healthy and thriving during the dog days of summer.
Checklist for a Beautiful August Garden
Maintenance and Preparation
- Level low spots in your lawn.
- Pull weeds.
- Apply Espoma’s Summer Revitalizer to your lawn to keep it looking good.
- Harvest veggies regularly.
- Add compost and mulch to keep your garden cool and prepared for fall planting.
- Select fall veggie starts or transplants and plant.
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 to encourage more blooms.
- Bring houseplants back indoors.
Give plants a drink!
- 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, which can cause mildew and disease.
Looking Ahead
- Select and order autumn seeds and spring flowering bulbs.
- Cut or preserve your vegetables for winter use. Begin to save seeds and take cuttings.
- Don’t forget, it’s best to work in the garden during early morning or early evening so you don’t overheat!
That’s it! With your flower beds looking radiant and your vegetable garden thriving, you can sit back and enjoy your outdoor space.