August
1st Week of August
Annuals, Lawns, and Perennials
- Some plants and pots may need water two times daily in the very hot weather.
- Do not wet foliage if you must water during the heat of day. The best time to water is morning and evening.
- No water except for sod and seed.
- Continue to deadhead faded blooms to encourage new ones. Roses should be cut back to the first branch with five leaves.
2nd Week of August
Annuals, Lawns, and Perennials
- Remove diseased and dropped leaves to prevent the spread of disease.
- Do not fertilize lawns
- Cut perennials like bee balm, phlox, gaillardia, obedient plants that have spent flowers or have powdery/drowny mildew to the ground. They won’t bloom again, but the foliage will come back more attractive.
- Reapply pre-emergent herbicide to mulched areas where weeds are excessive. DO NOT apply to annual beds.
3rd Week of August
Lawns, Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs
- Start planning for any major renovation
- Now is the time to divide spring blooming perennials like iris, poppy. (Wait until spring to divide Siberian irises.) Mulch and make sure they have good well drained soil and amend with organic matter.
- Continue to water new plants as needed.
4th Week of August
Lawns, Perennials, Trees, and Shrubs
- A good time to begin reseeding is towards the end of August as weather begins to cool.
- Lightly rake mulch during wet periods to prevent slime molds. They are disgusting and commonly called dog vomit molds. Do not rake after they have appeared as cultivating will cause them to spread.
- Touch up prune as needed.