This is the month to begin to think about fall. So we have compiled a short list of things to do now.

The List

• Continue your inspections of the garden. Look for unwanted pests or signs of disease. Remove diseased plants and remove bugs or treat them with an organic insecticide. Just be mindful of the innocent bugs that are not harmful. 
• After the last harvest of raspberries and blackberries, prune out the old canes that had berries. Just leave the newer ones for next year.
• Avoid pruning trees and shrubs after the end of July. The warm temperatures of summer will cause new growth to sprout, then the frosty nights will creep up all too soon and kill the new growth.
• This is a good time to order spring blooming bulbs for October delivery. When they arrive, it should be time to plant them.
• Continue to deadhead your flowers to keep the blooms coming for the remainder of the season.
• Check moisture in your hanging baskets and containers daily. Your plants are mature now and the days are hotter, so the water needs are going to increase naturally. Keep fertilizing them at least once a week with liquid fertilizer unless you have used timed release in the last 6 weeks.
• Pick your summer squash, zucchini, and other vegetables every day or every other day to keep the plants producing.
• Remove any old plants that are no longer producing. This will eliminate shelter for insects and disease organisms. A late crop may be planted from seeds for beans, squash, or cukes or from new plants for these or tomatoes.
• Continue to remove weeds as they grow. Do not allow them to go to seed or you will have problems next spring staying ahead of them.
• Sow seeds of biennials such as foxglove, poppies, and hollyhocks.
• Dig Irish potatoes now if you haven’t already.
• Harvest cantaloupe and honeydew when the stem is easily separated from the fruit. 

The Conclusion

Certainly, this is not all that can be done in August. However, it is a good start if you just don’t know. We have a free printable HERE if you work better with a checklist. Save it to your computer and use it as a guide year after year.