Monthly Garden "To Dos"

• Crape Myrtle, Rose-of Sharon, Peegee Hydrangea, Abelia, Canna, Dahlia, Trumpet Creeper, Cardinal Flower, Phlox, Butterfly Weed, Cleome, Liriope and summer annuals.

• Strawberries will benefit from a feeding of nitrogen fertilizer this month.
• Do not fertilize landscape shrubs in August, September, October or November.

Planting

• Plant pansy seed this month in flats for planting in the landscape in September.
• Spider lily(lycoris), colchicum(autumn crocus) and sternbergia bulbs should be planted in August.
• Sow seed of the following perennials: hollyhock, delphinium and stokesia to produce healthy plants for the next spring.
• Continue repotting houseplants.
• Plant the following fall vegetables this month: beets, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, radish, rutabaga, spinach, squash and turnip.

Pruning

• Trim red-tip photinia the first week of August for red foliage all winter.

Spraying

• Spray the following landscape shrubs for the following insect pests: arborvitae and juniper (spider mites), azalea and pyracantha (lace bugs), crape myrtle (aphids).
• Continue with rose spray program.
• Spray for Japanese beetles as needed
• Peach and nectarine trees need a trunk spray for peach tree borers.
• Spray the following fall vegetables for insects: broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower (worms), squash (borers).
• Continue weekly sprays on bunch grapes and tree fruits.
• Spray the following shrubs for the following plant diseases: crape myrtle (powdery mildew) and red-tip photinia (leaf spot).
• Control the following woody weeds by spraying them with the recommended herbicide: greenbriar, kudzu, trumpet creeper and wisteria.

Lawn Care

• Treat all lawn areas for grubs. Use the recommended insecticides.
• In late August, prepare the lawn areas for seeding if you plan to have a tall fescue lawn.

Propagation

• Cuttings of your favorite shrubs can still be taken in August.

Specific Chores

• If you are planning to do some fall landscape planting, be sure you have a planting plan prepared.
• Continue watering favorite landscape plants and your vegetable garden if dry weather persists.
• Begin the construction of a leaf compost bin.
• Cure Irish potatoes this month.
• Disbud Japonica camellias where two flower buds exist on the same limb. Remove the bud only if they originate from the same point.