August Landscape Garden Tips
Select a tip for the month of August below:
Tip #1: Keep an eye on shrubs and trees that may require some additional watering.
Tip #2: Check Crape Myrtles for the presence of honey dew aphids.
Tip #3: Check for fungus in lawn.
Tip #4: Fertilize annual flower beds with a good bloom boosting fertilizer.
Tip #5: Fertilize perennials, if necessary, using a good flower food high in phosphorus.
Tip #6: Fertilize Roses if you haven't done so within the last six weeks.
Tip #7: Seperate Iris this month.
Tip #8: If you want to transplant a Southern Magnolia do so now.
Tip #9: August is a good time to sart planning for the Fall.
Tip #1: Keep an eye on shrubs and trees that may require some additional watering.
During the "Dog Days of August" temperatures are usually at their hottest of the year. If we are experiencing a dry spell during this time it may be necessary to provide some extra water to newer plantings as well as older, well-established trees and shrubs. To water larger trees that may be suffering from lack of moisture encircle the outer perimeter of the trees branch system with a soaker hose and deeply soak for several hours once or twice a week, or as needed. You may also want to apply a layer of mulch above the root sytems to help retain moisture. The root systems of larger trees and shrubs usually extend 10-20% beyond the diameter of the canopy.
Tip #2: Check Crape Myrtles for the presence of honey dew aphids.
Look closely on the underside of leaves to see if these tiny bright green insects are present. To eliminate aphids spray the leaves with Hi Yield Malathion Insect Killer. To prevent these pests from showing up in the first place apply Di-Syston Granules in February on Crape Myrtles and other shrubs such as Azaleas and Roses for year-long systemic insect control. SEE: Insect Control for Shrubs and Trees
Tip #3: Check for fungus in lawn.
If expanding brown patches, or circular rings of a light gray colored ash-like looking substance, are forming in your lawn a fungus may be present. If so, broadcast Granular Lawn Fungicide or spray with a Liquid Fungicide. SEE: Disease Control in Lawns
Tip #4: Fertilize annual flower beds with a good bloom boosting fertilizer.
Apply fertilizer once every 4-6 weeks on annual flowers for increased flower production and overall optimum performance. Bloom boosting fertilizers usually have a high content of phosphorus, the middle number in fertilizer. SEE: Fertilizing Annual Flower Beds SEE: All About Annuals
Tip #5: Fertilize perennials, if necessary, using a good flower food high in phosphorus.
Milorganite is a good organic alternative fertilizer. SEE: Fertilizing Perennial Plants SEE: All About Perennials
Tip #6: Fertilize Roses if you haven't done so within the last six weeks.
An application every 6 weeks or so of Fertilome Rose Food with Systemic Insecticide will keep those pesty insects away throughout the season. SEE: All About Roses
Tip #7: Seperate Iris this month.
After using a spade to dig up and seperate the plants dip the tubers (base of the Iris) in a solution of 1 part Clorox to 9 parts water to kill any diseases that may be present before transplanting elsewhere in the garden.
Tip #8: If you want to transplant a Southern Magnolia do so now.
Before digging up the Magnolia tree to be transplanted dig the hole for its new location. When digging up the tree, make sure to start digging at a point as far away from the trunk as possible to retain more of the root system. Transplant as soon as possible. When transplanting, mix in Claycutter Soil Ammendment at a 50/50 ratio with the soil dug from the hole. Tamp backfill mix to remove air pockets. After transplanting water in with a solution of Root Stimulator. Mulch with pinestraw or wood mulch, and stake if necessary.
Tip #9: August is a good time to sart planning for the Fall.
With Fall just around the corner you might want to start thinking about what types of fall planting you'll do. Fall Garden Mums will begin arriving soon at the nursery and are a great way to add perennial color to your landscape. Pansies will be arriving soon as well; probab;y the middle September. Fall is also the best time to plant shrubs and trees in the landscape as gthey will not require nearly as much attention to watering and will settle in to their new environment before benefiting from a major root flush the following spring. If you would like to have a landscape design drawn for all or part of your property now is a good time to start pre-planning for the upcoming Fall.
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