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August Gardening Tips of The Month
Turf
Plant
Bermuda lawns during the active growing season, May through August.Fertilize
Bermuda grass lawns each month beginning late April or early
May with
nitrogen according to
the directions on the package.Apply
Iron one per month according to the directions on the package.Apply
one inch of water per week to Bermuda lawns.Raise
the mowing height to 2.5 to 3 inches during the warmer months.Once
every two or three years dethatch Bermuda lawns if necessary. Only dethatch
during the active growing season, May through August. This enables the turf
to quickly recover.To
remove a Bermuda lawn:- Water and fertilize the grass to ensure that it is actively growing.
- Apply a herbicide with glyphosate according to the directions on the package.
- The grass will take in the herbicide throughout the entire root system, thus killing the plant rather than just knocking it back.
- After a few days water again.
- Reapply the herbicide to any of the turf that regrows.
- Continue this cycle (may take three or more times) of fostering growth and applying herbicide until the grass is completely killed.
VegetablesSolarize
garden soil: Prepare bed for fall planting, irrigate and then cover with
clear plastic for six weeks. This will kill or drive out many of the soil
pathogens.Prepare
bed for fall planting.Plant
Seeds.Snap Beans, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Corn,
Cucumbers, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf) Leeks, Mustard, Green Onions, Summer SquashPlant
Transplants.Tomatoes
RosesCut
back on fertilizing established roses to encourage plants to slow down for the
hot summer.Water
deeply as temperatures climb.Hose
off plants in the early morning to increase humidity and control spider mites.Toward
the end of August and into September add an iron supplement if roses
show yellowing from iron deficiency.
Fruit
and Nut TreesLate
summer application of nitrogen fertilizer probably helps fruit
sizing. This is more significant for fall ripening (navels &
tangerines) than spring ripening (Grapefruit and Valencia orange)
varieties.
Apply
nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth
and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than
most other shade trees.
Landscape
PlantsIncrease
water application as the weather warms.
Pay attention to irrigation needs of
plants.
Apply
mulch to the ground around the base of heat sensitive plants, keep the roots cooler and
prevent evaporation.
Keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk.
Apply
chelated iron to bottle brush, pyracantha, silk oak, and other plants with iron
deficiency symptoms.
Cut
off spent blooms to stimulate rebloom.
Native
and imported heat tolerant plants can be planted right through the summer
months. They will need to be watered on a regular basis until fall.Transplant
palms in the heat of the summer for best results.Protect
newly transplanted trees from heavy winds and dust storms by staking
carefully.Late
August or early September fertilization will benefit most plants
struggling to have a flush of growth before slowing down for the
winter. The growth put on before dormancy will store more energy
during the winter that will be available to the plant when it pushes
growth in the spring.
Don't List . . .
Do
not expose citrus and other sun sensitive plants to sunburn by pruning during
the summer.Do
not increase opportunities for fungal disease on turf by over
watering or watering at night.DO
NOT OVER WATER which will result in root rots. Allow the soil to dry
out between watering.