Gardening Calendar For August

August sees the continuation of hot and sultry days, the traditional "Dog Days of August". August also experiences some of the driest weather of the year, an irony given the fact that the Southern Great Lakes Region is so abundantly endowed with numerous lakes and waterways. Pop up thunderstorms can frequently arrive in late afternoon, and after a few fleeting minutes, the sun and humidity returns.

August is a time of family gatherings, picnics, and long days at the lake. Nearing month's end, occasional cool spells give a brief preview of the coming fall season. In many towns, this is the time for festivals and fairs, the time when the children return to school at the end of the month, and a time of a slow and steady pace for the home gardener.

Sweet corn has never been sweeter and watermelon never so refreshing as those eaten in August. Vegetable production peaks for the summer crops. This is truly the beginning of the harvest season, a time to "put things up" for the coming cold months. Let's explore the month of August for gardening in our region:

1. I know it's been said before, but be sure to water deeply and at the correct times of day. Lawns and plantings need about an inch of water a week. Find creative sources of water: "Grey water" from various sources can be used. It might not be much, but that pan of water that was used in the hot water canner or the water from cooking the corn can be used to water a potted plant or two.

2. Mulch should be used on your plantings. This is as important for conserving water and moderating soil temperatures as it is for weed control and appearance. Also, loosen the mulch to prevent matting and moldiness.

3. Continue to start fall crops of beets, carrots, broccoli, and other fast-maturing crops.

4. Add all those rinds and peelings from your fruits and vegetables to the compost pile. Continue to aerate and keep the pile moist, not wet, so it will "work" properly.

5. If you have been faithful with your weeding chores, you should not have many weeds going to seed. Eradicate any that are present, it won't take long for them to reproduce!

6. Stop fertilizing roses after the 10th of the month, as well as any other woody plants. This allows them to properly harden off before the onset of late fall and early winter conditions.

7. Finish dividing and resetting German Iris by the first week of the month. Some perennials such as daylilies can be divided and reset with enough time to develop a good root system before the ground freezes, if this is done at this time.

8. Repot the perennials and biennials that you have started last month. If they are large enough, set them in their permanent garden spots. You can also place them in a protected "nursery bed" if they still need a bit more size before transplanting next Spring.

9. The increased heat and humidity means more insect pests and diseases. Use organic controls.

10. The dreaded yellow jackets really make their presence known this month. Use traps specifically designed for these pests. Keep trash containers covered. Whatever you do, don't panic and run when you encounter these wasps. They are aggressive, and will take it personally as a threat if you run or swat at them. They can sting repeatedly.

11. Start buying perennials from local nurseries and garden centers for late summer planting. Fill in those bare spots, or supplement those plants that your are already growing by adding a few more perennial favorites to your garden.

12. Try to save some money by taking a few cuttings. Coleus, impatiens, geraniums, and fuschias can be started from cuttings. If you have Brugmansia, take a few cuttings from your mother plant as well. You have nothing to lose, and can save quite a bit of money by starting some of these plants for next year!

13. Take photos of your yard. See what works, what doesn't, and when the time comes to add or remove plants, you will be able to see what needs to be done when you analyze the photos this Winter. You will know what plants you need to move, remove, or add. Plant some fall blooming crocus. Continue to order from mail order sources those bulbs you would like to plant this fall for next Spring's flowers.

14. Check your houseplants for pests. You will be moving them back inside sooner than you think, so take corrective action and keep a vigilant eye out for any unwanted "hitchhikers"!

15. Continue to shear any annuals that are getting leggy. If they are just plain exhausted, remove them to the compost pile

16. The last week to ten days of the month should bring more moderate weather. This is a good time to overseed or start a new lawn, and the time for this will continue into next month.

17. I know it might sound "down-home", but when was the last time you went to a county fair? It's fun to see the exhibits and look at what other folks have raised. You can get good ideas of what varieties of plants to grow. You might even enjoy the livestock exhibits and a ride or two! I'll have an elephant ear and a lemonade shake-up, please!