August Gardening Tips
1. During the month of August, you will want to continue deadheading your plants to ensure the plants bloom for the rest of the summer.
2. Mid-August is a good time to core and aerate your lawn. It is also a good time to seed new lawns and patch old ones. You will need 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost to germinate and establish new grass seed.
3. August is the time of year to start taking cuttings from the annuals you want to overwinter indoors. Your plants will root faster now than later in the season. Some plants to consider overwintering: coleus, geraniums, wax begonias, impatiens, fuschia and herbs.
4. Avoid late season (August and later) pruning and fertilizing of trees and shrubs. This helps reduce soft growth that could be damaged by cold weather and frost.
5. It is also important to water tomatoes consistently; this will prevent blossom end rot, a condition that leaves the bottoms of tomatoes looking black and unhealthy.
6. Many flowering plants begin to set seed and now is a good time to collect them for sowing next spring. Simply snip off complete seed heads in a paper bag. Spread out the contents and separate the seeds. Pour them into airtight containers, label, and store in a cool, dark place.
7. Remember to water consistently in the heat of the summer. Some perennials, especially Astilbe, will do poorly if allowed to dry out.
8. Late summer hydrangea (H paniculata) is in its flowering prime. It is a very showy flowering shrub. The fresh flowers can be used in arrangements or allowed to dry.
9. Late summer is a great time to fill in those bare areas in your garden with some new perennials. Your local garden centers have a great selection right now.
10. Prune your raspberries after your harvest is complete! Cut away all dead looking branches and sucker plants.
11. Oriental poppies go dormant and become leafless by mid-month. It is a good time to transplant them.
12. This is the time of year to dig and divide spring-blooming perennials so they have time to become established for the next growing season.
RESOURCES
Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association
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