August, the last month of summer, has already arrived. Yard and garden activities focus on continued summer maintenance of many plants but also start looking ahead to planning fall projects, including lawn work, and expanding garden areas.
Continuing routine maintenance on vegetables is important to keep plants productive for the balance of the growing season. Irrigation tops the list if conditions are dry while vegetables are in the development and ripening process. Harvest crops like cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes on a regular basis to encourage plants to produce more. Promptly remove any overripe or rotten vegetables from gardens to avoid problems with picnic beetles. If weeds have taken over any areas, address them now to prevent more seeds from forming and causing problems in future seasons.
Early August is an ideal time to rejuvenate annual flowers in hanging baskets and containers. Remove spent blooms and pinch back plants, including any leggy growth. Fertilize with a balanced soluble fertilizer when watering. The result will be increased flower production from late summer into early fall.
August is a quiet month for tree and shrub care. If you are planning to fertilize, wait until October or next spring. Likewise, now is not a suitable time for any significant pruning. Pruning and fertilizing in late summer may stimulate new growth that may not harden off properly for winter.
Early fall is an excellent time for seeding lawns and putting in a variety of landscape plantings. August is a prime time to prepare planting sites. Large populations of weeds, especially perennial weeds, need to be mechanically removed, making sure to get roots and any vegetative structures or “runners” weeds may have, including underground rhizomes or aboveground stolons.
Another option is to use a nonselective herbicide (weed killer) to control undesirable green plants it is sprayed onto without leaving a residue in the soil. At this time of year, herbicides are only effective when target plants are green and actively growing, not dormant or under drought stress. Apply herbicides at least 2 or 3 weeks ahead of preparing the soil to give them time to work. Always read, understand, and follow all product label directions when considering and using herbicides. Use extreme caution around desirable plantings so they are not damaged.
August can also be an optimum time for improving soils in existing or newly planned gardens or landscape beds. Soil testing is highly recommend for both scenarios. Soil test results provide essential information including soil pH values and levels of major nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium. Proper amendments and adjustments can then be made based on this information.
About the Author
Bruce Spangenberg is a Horticulture Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison Division of Extension. Get answers to your lawn, landscape and garden questions anytime at “Ask Your Gardening Question.”