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August Gardening Tasks

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An August To Do List For Your Summer Garden

Gardening in the Summer is a little less active for garden and gardener because of the heat. However, there are still a few things to do to keep our gardens happy and healthy.

By breaking up our gardening tasks across the seasons and across the months, we save ourselves much more work in the long haul. Our gardens appreciate this because tending them less, but more often will stress them less.

Since there is less to do in the garden in August, that doesn't mean there is nothing to do. This article lists some activities that will help keep your garden healthier and actually save you time later.

August Gardening Tasks For All Zones

These are tasks that almost all zones can do:

Watering is probably the most important thing to do this month, because of the heat. To stay healthy, flower and vegetable gardens ~ not to mention your lawn, need about an inch of water a week. Water deeply and thoroughly, preferably in the morning. Watering deeply and less frequently is best. Watering in the heat of the day will only lead to water loss through evaporation and could actually burn some plants.

NEVER water at night as this could attract insects and diseases to your garden. Container plantings and hanging baskets are especially susceptible to drying out right now, so check them daily and water them well.

Keep the weeds pulled, before they have a chance to flower and go to seed again. Otherwise, you will be fighting weeds. There's an old saying about one year's seed making seven year's of weeding, and you don't want that! Weeds in the garden rob your plants of water and nutrients and harbor insects and diseases.
  • Pick herbs for fresh use and for drying. Harvesting will keep them growing longer.
  • Order Spring bulbs for planting and forcing. Plant Fall blooming bulbs now.
  • Check that your mulch hasn't decomposed and add more as needed. Keep mulch 2-3 inches away from the trunks of your trees and shrubs.
  • Spread a mid-season layer of compost or manure. Keep compost moist by watering it during the hot summer months to keep it active.
  • Keep deadheading flowers and harvesting any fruits and vegetables.
  • Start saving seeds and taking cuttings.
  • Remove any diseased foliage now, so it doesn't get lost in the fall leaves.
  • Prune summer flowering shrubs as the flowers fade.
  • Trim and feed handing baskets to prolong their beauty.
  • Plant trees, shrubs and perennials now, so they can take root, and keep them well watered.
  • Begin dividing perennials.
  • Donate your surplus fruits and vegetables to a local homeless shelter or food bank.
  • Container grown perennials, shrubs and trees can be planted this month. Always take time to properly prepare the soil by mixing generous quantities of peat moss, compost and processed manure with your existing soil. You are composting, right?
  • Spring flowering perennials can be divided and transplanted this month or next. Be sure to do this during the coolest part of the day and water the plants thoroughly after transplanting.
  • Prune your hybrid roses in late August to promote the most fall blossoms. Remove about a third of the vigorous growth. Any stems that cross each other should be removed, as well as those that are in the center of the plant. Weak, spindly canes and any damaged by black spot fungus should be removed. Except in colder regions, roses should be fertilized through the end of September. Maintain a spraying schedule to control insects and disease.
  • Change the water in your bird bath regularly, and keep it filled. Standing water is less healthy for the birds, and may become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae.
  • Continue to watch for insect, slug and snail, or disease damage throughout the garden, and take the necessary steps to control the problem.
  • A brown lawn isn't necessarily a dead lawn. Grasses go dormant in times of drought, but will quickly come back with the Fall rains. If a lush green lawn is important to you, and you don't mind mowing, water it regularly, and deeply. If a water shortage is expected, or you hate tending to grass, you may choose to just let your lawn go dormant, and water it as seldom as once a month. Raise the cutting height of the mower, too. Taller grass cools the roots and helps to keep the moisture in the soil longer. Grass that is too short, will heat the soil too quickly and burn the roots.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Hardiness Zones -- Details Below Map

Zones 2-10 in the map have been subdivided into light- and dark-colored sections (a and b) that represent 5 F (2.8 C) differences within the 10 F (5.6 C) zone. The light color of each zone represents the colder section; the dark color, the warmer section. Zone 11 represents any area where the average annual minimum temperature is above 40 F (4.4 C).

The map shows 20 latitude and longitude lines. Areas above an arbitrary elevation are traditionally considered unsuitable for plant cropping and do not bear appropriate zone designations. There are also island zones that, because of elevation differences, are warmer or cooler than the surrounding areas and are given a different zone designation.

Note that many large urban areas carry a warmer zone designation than the surrounding countryside. The map-contains as much detail as possible, considering the vast amount of data on which it is based and its size.

Source And More Information At: The United States National Arboretum, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

USDA Hardiness Zones 1 - 4

Short Seasons

In addition to the general gardening tasks above, Zones 1-4 should tend to the following tasks as well:
  • Start moving houseplants back indoors, so they get used to the limited sun exposure and humidity.
  • Make sure the cold frame is ready to go for your winter garden.
  • It's a good time to plant perennials, shrubs and trees. This will allow them to establish some good roots before the ground freezes.
  • Water evergreens thoroughly during dry weather.
  • Don't fertilize anymore until the leaves begin to change color. If you fertilize late in the summer, it causes a flush of growth which will probably be "nipped" by frost.
  • Stop pruning shrubs.
  • Buy fall mums.
  • As fall clean-up time approaches, start a compost bin. Once composted, debris can become a rich soil additive for your garden.
  • Once frost has arrived, empty out clay containers into the compost pile, and store them in the basement or garage to keep clay from cracking.
  • Make sure to cover tender plants when frosts are forecast.

Handy Gardening References

National Arboretum - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
The 2003 US National Arboretum "Web Version" of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map; USDA Miscellaneous Publication No. 1475, Issued January 1990
Garden Guide: Outdoor Planting Table - The Old Farmer's Almanac
This outdoor planting table shows 1) Planting Dates that reflect safe periods for planting in areas that receive frost and 2) Moon-Favorable periods. For above-ground crops, plant during the light of the Moon (new to full Moon); for below-ground crops, plant during the dark of the Moon (from the day after it's full to the day before it's new again). See our Moon Phase Calendar for these times in your area.
Mother Earth News - Organic Gardening
Learn how to use natural methods to grow the freshest food.
Organic Gardening - Home Page
Online version of the magazine.
Gardening Resources :: National Gardening Association
Information and inspiration on gardening with answers to questions about lawns, landscapes, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs and flowers, organic gardens, compost, urban, soil, design, roses, tomato, how to grow in containers.

You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~Author Unknown

>Garden Goddess shirt
Garden Goddess

USDA Hardiness Zones 5-7

Mid-Length Seasons

In addition to the general gardening tasks above, Zones 5-7 should tend to the following tasks as well:
  • Spray kudzu with an herbicide, or mow all foliage.
  • To reduce mosquito populations, make sure bird baths and pet bowls are changed frequently.
  • Before going on vacation, make any last minute insecticide or fungicide treatments, weed garden beds, and arrange for someone to water.
  • A cool, wet hand towel or bandana draped over the back of the neck will provide some relief during hot weather. Remember to drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen!
  • As fall clean-up time approaches, start a compost bin. Once composted, debris can become a rich soil additive for your garden.

Lasagna Gardening; No don't plant the pasta!

Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding!

Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding!

by: Patricia Lanza

Amazon Price: $9.70 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $17.99

This book totally changed the way I garden ~ and I'm so glad. Everything is much more natural, organic and happier!

USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11

Long Seasons

In addition to the general gardening tasks above, Zones 8-11 should tend to the following tasks as well:
  • Begin planting for the fall/winter vegetable garden.
  • Plant a spring crop of garlic.
  • Get the rose garden in shape for fall planting.
  • Feed citrus trees after harvest.
  • A cool, wet hand towel or bandana draped over the back of the neck will provide some relief during hot weather. Remember to drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen!
  • To reduce mosquito populations, make sure bird baths and pet bowls are changed frequently.
  • Before going on vacation, make any last minute insecticide or fungicide treatments, weed garden beds, and arrange for someone to water.
  • Containers will need extra attention during summer months. Be sure to check daily for water and fertilize regularly.
  • Spray kudzu with an herbicide, or mow all foliage.
  • As fall clean-up time approaches, start a compost bin. Once composted, debris can become a rich soil additive for your garden.

Gardening Essentials ~ gotta get your gear!

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Kiss of the sun for pardon.
Song of the birds for mirth.
You're closer to God's heart in a garden
than any place else on earth.
-Dorothy Frances Gurney

Gardening Planner and Journal Binder binder
Gardening Planner and Journal Binder

Jerry Baker's Garden Solutions ~ I use this constantly!

Nothing like using natural methods and this book is full of Jerry's advice and his recipes for his mixes. Great book & I keep it handy!
Jerry Baker's Giant Book of Garden Solutions: 1,954 Natural Remedies to Handle Your Toughest Garden Problems (Jerry Baker Good Gardening series)

Jerry Baker's Giant Book of Garden Solutions: 1,954 Natural Remedies to Handle Your Toughest Garden Problems (Jerry Baker Good Gardening series)

by: Jerry Baker

Amazon Price: $38.18 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

Current Weather Where I Am ~ Corpus Christi, Texas

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Resource Links For International Gardeners

I may not be familiar with gardening around the world, but that doesn't mean I'm going to ignore my fellow gardeners! Here are some links that may prove of some help to gardeners around the globe. I will add more as I find them! If you know of any more, please add them in the comments section! Thanks!
The National Vegetable Society, advancing the culture, study and improvement of vegetables.
The National Vegetable Society NVS is a charity dedicated to advancing the culture, study and improvement of vegetables offering help and advice to novice and expert show grower alike.

Where flowers bloom so does hope.
-Lady Bird Johnson

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