Archive for August, 2007

Check the soil in your garden often. This will help you to monitor both over watering and under watering. If plants are dying check the plant’s roots, rotten roots are a sign of over watering. The symptoms can also be connected to other problems, so it’s important to accurately determine what the problem is, if the plants are showing stress. Most gardeners know what happens when you under water plants, but a lot of them are unaware of the problems of over watering. Over watering is worse and more damaging to the plant. Vegetables and fruits need about 1 inch of water per week.

Plant fall vegetables, beans, beets, carrots, and turnips for autumn harvest. You can transplant of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower now for fall production. Plant garden cover crops as garden is harvested. Other vegetables that can be planted in August for fall enjoyment are cantaloupe, snap beans, summer squash, and watermelon.

Prop fruit branches with wooden supports to keep them from breaking. You can net the fruit trees to keep birds from feasting on your tasty crop. Control garden weeds by pulling, hoeing, or mulching. Hand remove bagworms. Turn compost pile and add water the hot summer heat will dry it out more frequently.

You should apply your last application of fertilizer to your roses by mid month. Fertilize mums, hardy asters, and other fall blooming perennials. Deadhead your annuals to encourage a late season bloom. Plant hollyhocks, larkspur, and poppies for spring blooms. Research the varieties and start making your order list of fall bulbs. Apply your last application of fertilizer to your zoysia grass by mid month. Watch for grubs and apply proper control. August is time to start planning for fall renovation projects such as aerating and seeding. Mow turf as needed depending on summer growth.

Water young trees every 1 to 2 weeks by thoroughly soaking the root ball. Prune hedges, check mulch layers and add more if needed. Prune broken or dead limbs for healthier plants. Check young trees for girdling from support wires and ropes.