So much comes to fruition in our gardens during the month of August. Thus, it's a good idea to plan ahead to keep our late summer gardens perfect. Here are some gardening tips and tasks that will keep you and your plants, blooms and crops happy:
- Check citrus for heavy fruit set. Thin mandarins, oranges, limes and lemons if needed
- Fertilize citrus, deciduous fruit and nut trees.
- Set ripening melons, pumpkins and winter squash on boards to avoid rot and insect damage.
- Deep soak vegetable gardens, fruit and landscape trees, shrubs and perennials.
- Clean up fallen fruit to prevent the possible spread of brown rot.
- Prune apricots and cherries by the end of August.
- Deadhead annuals and perennials regularly and you will keep them blooming through the fall.
- Group container plants to consolidate watering chores. This also helps increase humidity and provide shade for the pots.
- Keep and eye out for weeds and pull or hoe them out.
- Watch for hornworms and caterpillars and pick and dispose of them.
- This is the time to watch for aphids and spider mites and control them with a strong spray of water.
And, remember, August gardening also includes thinking about--and perhaps changing your gardening schedule. On these record-breaking days of heat, it's best to plan doing your gardening in the morning or evening—and save the afternoons for reading a good book!