August Garden Calendar
Vegetables and Fruits
- Water about 1 inch per week
- Plant a fall garden: beets, carrots, beans, and turnips for autumn harvest
- Plant transplants of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage for fall production
- Harvest crops on a regular basis for season long production
- Ease fruit loads on branches by propping with wooden supports
- Net ripening fruit to protect from hungry birds
- Fertilize strawberry bed for added flower bud development
- Turn compost pile and add water when dry
Flowers
- Apply 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week to gardens
- Divide irises and daylilies during this dormant period
- Make last application of fertilizer to roses by mid-month
- Control black spot and other rose diseases
- Fertilize mums, hardy asters, and other fall blooming perennials
- Deadhead annuals to encourage late season blossoms
- Cut back and fertilize annuals to produce new growth and fall blooms
- Sow hollyhocks, poppies, and larkspur for spring blooms
- Prepare for fall bulb planting by making orders or researching varieties
- Take cuttings from geraniums and begonias for wintering indoors
Lawns
- Water bluegrass one to two times, per week, applying a total of about 1 ½ inches of water
- Water tall fescue one to two times, per week, applying a total of 1 inch of water
- Apply last application of fertilizer to Zoysia by mid-month
- Be on the lookout for grubs and apply proper control methods
- Start planning for fall renovation projects such as aerating and seeding
- Check sharpness of mower blades and repair
- Mow turf as needed depending on summer growth
- Destroy unwanted Zoysia and Bermuda grass
- Take a soil test to determine a fertility program
Trees and Shrubs
- Water young trees every 1 to 2 weeks by thoroughly soaking the root system
- Prune and shape hedges
- Check mulch layers and add more if needed
- Prune broken, dead or crossing limbs for healthier plants
- Check young trees and shrubs for girdling wires, and ropes from planting and remove
- Avoid fertilizing ornamentals now so they harden off before winter
- Hand remove bagworms
Houseplants
- Water houseplants regularly and fertilize to promote growth
- Check plants for insects such as scales, aphids, and spider mites
- Wash plants to remove dust layers
- Make cuttings and repot plants before summer sun slips away
Have questions? The Garden Hotline is staffed by trained EMG volunteers and Extension staff who will assist you with questions.
Phone: (913) 715-7050
Email: garden.help@jocogov.org