August Gardening Calendar

Vegetables

• Compost or till under residues from harvested crops.
• Weeks 1: Broccoli, cabbage & cauliflower transplants should be set out now for the fall garden.
• Weeks 1-3: Sow seeds of beans, beets, spinach & turnips now for the fall garden. Spinach may germinate better if seeds are refrigerated for one week before planting.
• Weeks 2-4: Begin planting lettuce and radishes for fall now.
• Weeks 3-4: 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.
• Week 1: Thornless blackberries are ripening now.
• Week 1-3: Continue to spray ripening fruits to prevent brown rot fungus.
• Weeks 2-4: Cultivate strawberries. Weed preventers can be applied immediately after fertilizing.

Lawns

• Weeks 1-2: Apply insecticides now for grub control on lawns being damaged by their activity.
• Weeks 1-2: Zoysia lawns can receive their final fertilizer application now.

Ornamentals

• Continue spraying roses that are susceptible to black spot and other fungus diseases.
• Deadhead annuals & perennials as needed.
• Annuals may appear leggy and worn now. These can be cut back hard and fertilized to produce a new flush of bloom.
• Weeks 1-2: Divide bearded Iris now. Discard old center sections, and borer damaged parts. Replant so tops of rhizomes are just above ground level.
• Weeks 1-2: Roses should receive no further nitrogen fertilizer after August 15th.
• Weeks 1-2: Prune to shape hedges for the last time this season.
• Weeks 2-4: Order bulbs now for fall planting.