August is the month to begin thinking about fall, so we have compiled a short list of things to do now to enhance your growing space.
The List
- Continue inspecting your garden for unwanted pests or signs of disease. Remove diseased plants and treat pests with an organic insecticide, being mindful of harmless insects.
- After the last harvest of raspberries and blackberries, prune out the old canes that have finished fruiting, leaving the newer ones for next year.
- Avoid pruning trees and shrubs after the end of July. Warm summer temperatures will cause new growth to sprout, which frosty nights could soon damage.
- August is an excellent time to order spring-blooming bulbs for October delivery. When they arrive, it will be time to plant them.
- Continue deadheading your flowers to keep blooms coming for the remainder of the season.
- Check moisture in your hanging baskets and containers daily. Mature plants and hotter days increase water needs. Continue fertilizing them weekly with liquid fertilizer unless you have used a timed-release fertilizer in the last six weeks.
- Pick summer squash, zucchini, and other vegetables daily or every other day to keep the plants producing.
- Remove old vegetable plants no longer producing to eliminate shelter for insects and disease organisms. You can plant a late crop of beans, leafy greens, or carrots from seed in their place.
- Continue to remove weeds as they grow. Do not let them go to seed, or you will have trouble controlling them next spring.
- Sow seeds of biennials such as foxglove, poppies, and hollyhocks.
- Dig up Irish potatoes if you haven’t already.
- Harvest cantaloupe and honeydew when the stem easily separates from the fruit.
Conclusion
This is only some of what can be done as we start August in the garden. However, it is a good start if you are unsure where to begin.