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AUGUST GARDEN "TO DO" LIST

 

GENERAL GARDEN CARE

  • This is NOT the time to move plants however it is a GREAT time to Plant new things!

  • Inspect for insects on all your plants.  First priority is watering ALL newly planted trees and shrubs and lawns.

  • Pruning is not advised this month, with the exception of shrubs that have just flowered.

  • Mark your gardens with small stakes to note where fall planted bulbs should go.  Order Spring Bulbs.

  • Trim up flower bed edges as they tend to get ragged this time of the season.

  • Cut blooming flowers to bring indoors.

 

WEED, WEED, WEED      WATER, WATER, WATER

ANNUAL AND PERENNIALS

  • DO NOT fertilize ROSES after August 1st.  Deadhead back to the first set of five leaflets and monitor for Black spot. 

  • Continue to deadhead to promote additional flowering.

  • Prune back annuals that are ‘leggy’ and fertilize with ¼ strength fertilizer twice this month.

  • Plant chrysanthemums and asters.  The earlier the mum is planted the greater the chance of it surviving the winter.  Mulch well.

  • Daylilies will need to have spent flowers and seed heads removed.  Green leaves must remain for photosynthesis. 

  • Feed acid loving plants one more time before fall:  Rhododendrons, azaleas

 

End of Month

  • Daylilies may be divided and replanted.

  • Peonies can be planted.

 

LAWN CARE

  • Mow high, 2 ½ -3 inches, leave grass clippings on lawn but not clumped. 

  • August 15 to September 7th is the best time to seed in Northern Illinois.  Recommendation is mix of Kentucky blue grass, perennial rye and fescue.  Water, water!

  • Grub damage will begin to show up this month as browned out areas or chewed up sections from skunks, raccoons tearing up the grass in search of grubs.

  •  Grass will go dormant and yellow in color in times of drought but will return with rainfall.

 

FRUIT, VEGETABLE, AND HERB CARE

  • Time to PLANT:  snap beans, cabbages, broccoli, carrots, spinach, radishes and lettuces for fall harvest.

  • Keep picking vegetables to keep them producing.

  • Giant squashes will have little or no flavor, pick early.

  • Tomatoes are VERY moisture sensitive…monitor blossom end rot,

  • Keep records for next year's garden plan.

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