Archive for August, 2007

How much to water your lawn when temperature is above 100 degrees?
You are wondering, how can I ever keep my lawn green in this heat.

Grass is generally very hardy as long as it has enough water to sustain
it thru the blistering August heat. Depending on the soil, a well maintained
lawn will need to be watered every other day.

Don’t water grass between 9:00 am. and 12:00 midnight.
You will be wasting water due to evaporation and when the ground
is hot the water will steam the roots, increasing the chances for
fungus and diseases.

The other thing I see people doing is running their irrigation so
long that it will run down the gutter for 30 minutes to an hour.
Hey people, the concrete won’t grow so why water it?

This question was asked “which vegetables can I plant in August Zone 4″?

Celery, Chinese cabbage, endive, kohlrabi, radish, and turnips are all good choices.
They mature fast enough to be ready to eat before the frost gets them.

I grow Begonias semperflorens for their attractive flowers and foliage. If you grow Begonias indoors they should be moved to a partly sunny location outdoors during the summer months. Begonias flower all summer long, up to the first frost. Begonias will not spread out of bounds and are ideal for small flowerbeds. Begonias look great when used in large plantings. I have had wonderful success growing them in containers also.

Semperflorens are probably the most common of all begonias. The semperflorens group of Begonias are mostly grown for outdoor bedding plants. Except for the hardy begonia, which was developed in Germany, begonias don’t tolerate cold temperatures. In most cases people grow begonias as annuals or dig them up in the fall, store in a shed and replant in the spring. Gardeners that are interested in having begonias year round can grow them in pots indoors all year. Fertilizer should be used lightly on Begonias, they are not “heavy feeders.”

Begonias are a very hardy plant. In general, begonias require a well-drained soil that is moist, but not constantly wet, they should not be allowed to dry out completely. Tuberous begonias usually go dormant for a period of time, the tubers can be stored in a cool and dry place during their dormancy. Begonias are easily propagated by dividing them or from stem cuttings. Begonias semperflorens are used a great deal in the commercial gardening as an annual flower.