Gardeners need to be on the lookout for pests like chinch bugs and should start preparing for fall. Here are top tips for August.
Remove spent crops
Remove spent garden crops like squash, green beans, etc., to get ready for fall.
Protect pecans
Water is key this month for the fill of pecans; key pests include shuckworm, black aphids and pecan weevil.
Plan for cool-season garden produce By mid-to-late August many fall vegetable seeds and even small plants may be set out for later production. The young plants will need extra water and a little shade while they are becoming established. The result will be excellent cool season garden produce.
Prepare roses for fall
Shear roses for fall bloom; prune out dead canes and any weak, brushy growth. Cut back tall, vigorous bushes to about 30 inches. After pruning, apply fertilizer and water thoroughly.
Take action to encourage more blooms
Shear perennial shrubs like Salvia greggii for compact growth and more blooms; trim off faded flowers on crape myrtles and vitex to encourage later rebloom. Picking flowers frequently encourages most annuals and perennials to flower even more abundantly.
Prune what is dead or diseased from trees, shrubs Prune out dead or diseased wood from trees and shrubs. Hold off on major pruning from now until midwinter. Severe pruning at this time will only stimulate tender new growth prior to frost. Oak trees can be pruned but make sure to still paint the wounds.
Sow cool-season flower seeds for fall
Sow seeds of snapdragons, dianthus, pansies, calendulas and other cool-season flowers in flats, or in well-prepared areas of the garden, for planting during mid-to-late fall.
Pick produce
Pick okra, peas and peppers often to maintain production. Take advantage of the crops that do well in the heat so you have produce through the summer season.
Don’t procrastinate a new compost pile
Establish a new compost pile to accommodate the fall leaf accumulation if you have not already done so.
This is an excerpt from an article inA&MAgriLife’sAugust Gardening Guide. To read the article in its entirity, go to our website and search for: Water restrictions: Decide which trees, plants to prioritize when water is limited.