August Gardening Calendar Week 4

Ornamentals

• Continue spraying roses that are susceptible to black spot and other fungus diseases.
• Annuals may appear leggy and worn now. These can be cut back hard and fertilized to produce a new flush of bloom.
• Deadhead annuals and perennials as needed.
• Order bulbs now for fall planting.
• Evergreens can be planted or transplanted now to ensure good rooting before winter arrives. Water both the plant and the planting site several days before moving.
• If you want to grow big dahlia flowers, keep side shoots pinched off and plants watered and fertilized regularly.

Lawns

• Lawns scheduled for renovation this fall should be killed now. Have soil tested to determine fertility needs.
• Dormant lawns should be soaked now to encourage strong fall growth.
• Verify control of lawn white grubs from earlier insecticide applications.

Vegetables

• Compost or till under residues from harvested crops.
• Begin planting lettuce and radishes for fall now.
• Pinch the growing tips of gourds once adequate fruit set is achieved. This directs energy into ripening fruits, rather than vine production.

Fruits

• Prop up branches of fruit trees that are threatening to break under the weight of a heavy crop.
• Watch for fall webworm activity now.
• Cultivate strawberries. Weed preventers can be applied immediately after fertilizing.

Miscellaneous

• Soak shrubs periodically during dry spells with enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches.
• Once bagworms reach full size, insecticides are ineffective. Pruning off and burning large bags provides better control.
• Hummingbirds are migrating through gardens now.
• Clean out cold frames to prepare for fall use.
• Monitor plants for spider mite activity. Hose these pests off with a forceful spray of water.
• 2nd generation pine needle scale crawlers may be present on mugo pine now.

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