AUGUST
August Gardening Tips & Monthly Plant Care Guide
August is that in-between month where the garden is still going strong, but you can start to see the shift toward fall. Late summer gardening is all about keeping up with the heat while making the most of your harvest. Vegetables are producing, flowers are still putting on a show, and lawns and landscapes need consistent care to stay healthy. This is the time to stay on top of watering, harvesting, and garden maintenance, while also beginning to think ahead with fall planting, dividing perennials, and preparing your garden for the next season.
Lawn Care in August
- Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth
- Bluegrass: 1-2 times per week, totaling ~ 1.5 inches
- Tall fescue: 1-2 times per week, totaling ~ 1 inch
- Watch for signs of grub damage and apply a grub killer if needed
- Crabgrass and foxtail are difficult to control now, so plan for early spring prevention next year.
- Set mower blades high to reduce stress from heat and sun. Mow as needed, depending on summer growth
- Apply your final zoysia fertilizer application by mid-month
- Take a soil test to determine a fertility program
- Start planning for fall renovation projects such as aerating and seeding
Landscape & Gardening in August
Watering & Mulching
Water trees and shrubs deeply if it has not rained recently. Use as low-running hose to thoroughly soak plant root zones. You should always aim to water in the mornings to prevent diseases and evaporation. Mulch will also help to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperatures, so maintain 2-4 inches of mulch in your garden beds.
Pruning
Do not prune these spring bloomers in August, or else you'll lose next year's flowers: viburnum, white blooming spirea, mockorange, forsythia, dogwood, ninebark, and lilac.
Garden Reflection & Planning
This month you'll especially love a drip irrigation system that saves time and precious water. If you do not already have one, maybe consider that among other gardening upgrades for next season.
Take photos of your garden now that it is at its peak. Start a garden journal to track successes and failures.
Vegetables and Fruits
- Now is the time to plant for a fall harvest:
- Beets
- Beans
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Spinach
- Turnips
- Fertilize your strawberry beds now, as this is critical for next year's fruit production
- Harvest crops frequently to encourage continued production
- Support heavy fruit loads by propping branches up with wooden supports, and net ripening fruit to protect from hungry birds
- Continue watering your garden, about 1 inch per week
- Turn your compost pile and add water when dry
August Flower Care
Watering & Feeding: Apply 1 - 1.5 inches of water per week and fertilize mums, asters, and other fall-blooming perennials. You should stop fertilizing roses after August 1st to allow the plant to harden off.
Pruning, Deadheading & Growth: Deadhead (remove spent flowers) to annuals to promote continued blooms. You can also cut back and fertilize annuals for fresh late-season growth. Trim back salvia blooms so it will re-bloom in early fall.
Dividing & Propagation: Divide irises and daylilies during dormancy and take cuttings from geraniums and begonias for overwintering indoors.
Disease & Pest Control: Monitor and treat black spot and other rose diseases
Planning Ahead: Plan for next spring's blooms by sowing hollyhocks, poppies, and larkspur as well as researching or ordering bulbs to plant this fall.
Important Reinders: Stop shearing mums, russian sage, sedum and asters now to preserve their fall blooms
Trees & Shrubs
- Water young trees every 1-2 weeks with a deep soak
- Check mulch levels and replenish as needed
- Apply one final round of acidic fertilizer to azaleas, rhododendrons, holly, and hydrangeas
- Avoid fertilizing other ornamentals to allow proper hardening before winter
- Check for girdled wires or ropes on newly planted trees
- Hand-remove bagworms promptly if you see any
- Lightly prune and shape hedges
- Remove dead, broken or crossing branches to improve plant health
Houseplant Care
Water houseplants regularly and fertilize to promote growth
Check plants for insects such as scales, aphids, and spider mites
Wash plants to remove dust layers
Make cuttings and repot plants before summer sun slips away
Make Compost
August is an ideal time to build and maintain your compost system. Finished compost adds rich organic matter back into your garden beds and is very beneficial for gardens and landscapes. It's very simple since all you need are three ingredients:
- Green materials: grass clipping, vegetable skins & tops you would normally throw away
- Brown materials: leaves, soil, dead foliage
- Water
Best Practices
- Keep compost moist like a wrung-out sponge
- Turn regularly to speed decomposition
- Add a light layer of soil to reduce odor and introduce beneficial organisms. You can also add in worms to help with the decay process.
Pro tip: Chop materials into smaller pieces as they’ll break down faster and create finer compost.
We recommend using the 4-bin method: Actively fill one bin for four months, then stop adding new material and allow it to continue decomposing while you begin using the second bin. Repeat the process with a third bin, and by the time you cycle back, the first bin will be fully composted and ready to use. Once emptied, restart the process for continuous compost production.