Photo courtesy of William Hansen submitted to Pahl’s Something for Every Season photo contest.
Hard to believe August is here and Fall is near. August can be a dry month so don’t forget to keep watering your gardens and lawns. A good time to pull weeds is immediately after a rainfall because it makes it easier to get the entire root out with the weed. Remember to water thoroughly and deeply when you water. If possible, you should try and do your watering in the morning or early afternoon so the foliage is not wet during the night time. This is one way to prevent disease on your landscape plants.
You can greatly improve the look and health of your garden by removing spent flowers (and foliage) from your perennials and annuals. By deadheading, you will improve the length of bloom time and make for a happier plant. Removing any bad foliage can also help stop the spread of fungus and insects.
Spring blooming perennials can be divided and transplanted this month and next. Keep fertilizing the annuals in your pots and hanging baskets with Pahl’s Super Bloom Booster or Premium All Purpose Fertilizer to keep them blooming all season long.
Summer blooming shrubs can be pruned (if needed) after they finish flowering. Remember, all shrubs flower at different times therefore should not be pruned all at once. This will help you enjoy all of the different flowering shrubs in your landscape. Spring blooming plants such as lilacs and rhododendrons have already started to form buds for next year’s blooms and if pruned now, they will most likely not flower next season. Remember to cut out all dead, broken and rubbing branches from your shrubs and small trees.
Late summer is a great time to plant evergreens, trees and shrubs. The new plants will still have several months to grow new roots and will beautify your yard this coming winter and all year around. Evergreen trees such as pines, spruces and firs can help save energy when planted on the northwest side of your home. They will also provide welcome shelter for winter birds and will be gorgeous when covered with fresh snow. It is important to water any week we don’t receive an inch or so of rain up until the ground is frozen.
Enjoy the rest of the summer and make sure you spend some time enjoying your GARDEN!
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