Things to do in the Late Summer Garden

Plan to Plant . . .

August is a great time plant a new garden or just spruce up an existing bed by adding some late summer and fall color.

The soil is warm, the air is warm, and the days are long. These are ideal conditions for getting a good strong root system established before the onset of cold weather.

Oh, and those late season sales! They really help, too! In August, you can usually find some great bargains in many garden centers. Check out our own fantastic SALE on our hosta collection and our HUGE selection of daylilies - all 20% OFF this weekend!

Spice It Up . . .

Are your summer containers losing their pizazz?

Jazz up your summer urns with beautiful fall color and texture. You can even fill in with some colorful tropicals and fall blooming annuals and "mums". 

Give your containers a boost by feeding them with Neptune's Harvest liquid fertilizer or Miracle-Gro liquid fertilizer and Dynamite (slow release fertilizer).

Pest Patrol . . .

Be on the lookout! Insects, diseases, and weeds will be on the increase during the heat and humidity of late summer.

Diagnose your problem then find a treatment that is specifically labeled for that problem. Before using any pesticide, check the label. Both the crop you wish to treat and the pest you are treating needs to be listed on the label. If you have pests and disease in the vegetable garden BE SURE that the product is safe for use on food crops and pay strict attention to the "days to harvest" on the label.

Black spot, leaf spot, powdery mildew, & rust - Control these fungal diseases on roses, flowers, trees, and shrubs using a fungicide like Bonide Fung-onil, Mancozeb, or Daconil or use a systemic fungicide like Bayer Advanced Disease Control for Roses, Flowers, & Shrubs. Always read and follow the label directions.

Watch Mark's video tip on controlling rust in the garden.

Whack 'em Back!

Perennials affected by powdery mildew or rust can become unattractive in the garden. Many can be cut back to the ground after they finish blooming to promote healthy new growth. Throw the clippings out in the trash and spray the clump with a fungicide if needed.

Perennials that can be cut back now include: Baptisia, columbine, daylilies, hollyhocks, peonies, and summer phlox.
Keep in mind: Self-seeding perennials such as Baptisia, columbine, Digitalis, and hollyhocks should not be cut back if you want them to re-seed in the garden!

Got insects AND disease? There are some great products that combine an insecticide and disease control all-in-one. Bayer Advanced All-In-One Rose & Flower Care or 3-in-1 Insect, Disease, & Mite Control are two that will control various insects and diseases. For the vegetable garden try Bonide Tomato & Vegetable 3-in-1 (approved for organic gardening).

Want Natural Controls for your garden problems?
Bonide has a broad range of natural controls under their Garden Naturals brand. Their newest, Captain Jack's Deadbug Brew, controls a wide range of insect pests.

Weeds . . .

Keep ahead of them!

Hand pull weeds in your flower beds and vegetable garden or use Andre's favorite weeding tool, the Swiss-made swing-head hoe to make short work of the weeds in your garden.

One of the best ways to reduce the number of weeds in your lawn is to set your mower to cut the grass high - 3" is best.