August 2008 tips
August has always been one of my least favorite months in the garden; but this year it maybe that August will rate high for me. We had a late long cool spring, which resulted in later bloom time for everything; even my Butterfly bush is only just now beginning to bloom. We have such a short blooming and growing season here in New England that any extra time to have a good-looking border is much appreciated. Of course, there are always a few gaps to fill in with annuals or some later blooming perennials; which is quite normal as a garden is always a project in progress.
Plantings that looked good last year may be oversized, and overpowering a display of smaller plants; so get in there and transplant some out so that every plant can have its own space and perform to its optimum level.
Keep up with your deadheading; the garden should always look fresh and perky. Also make sure that your borders get at least one inch of water a week. Soaker hoses in the borders are much more efficient, as the water goes straight to the roots and you do not lose 40% of the moisture in evaporation. Also by this method you keep water off the foliage which can cause disease and mildew.
Cut back the tired looking annuals and you will see a new flush of bloom shortly. If you need more as fill ins, make a trip to the garden center, they are offering excellent later season bargains now. When the Coreopsis and Spirea has finished blooming, shear off the dead bloom and a new flush will appear; you can do this a few times in a season and enjoy the reward of longer bloom time.
Stop feeding roses in the middle of the month; roses require at least nine weeks before the first frost to go into a slow for the winter. Always give your containers a dilute application of organic plant food each time you water. If you do not have time to water the containers before you go out in the a.m. empty your ice trays into the containers; they will receive a slow release watering through the day until you can add more later. A thorough watering in the morning is always the best method however as night time watering can encourage powdery mildew especially on Summer phlox, Monarda and Hydrangeas. If you see this problem spray with my remedy of one gallon of water in a spray container adding two teaspoons of baking soda and the same amount of vegetable oil. Always spray in the a.m. before the temperature and humidity go above 160.
Keep feeding vegetables with fish emulsion or another organic fertilizer like bone meal or blood meal. Place an old sneaker or a piece of carpet that your dog had lain on for a while – these odors will help to prevent animals from munching on the vegetables.
Place your orders for Peonies now so they can be delivered in time for September planting. Transplant existing Peonies or divide only in September.
Begin compiling your list of spring bulbs to send in early so that you can the best choice of varieties. I’ll see you in your garden next month.
