It’s time to set out those fall veggies. The cool weather crops need to go in the ground now, so as to have time to produce in the fall. Be sure to keep them watered well, as long as it is hot, and enjoy those greens, lettuces, cabbage, broccoli and herbs!
Our hummingbirds are still coming around, loving the summer flowers. Don’t forget to remove spent blooms of petunias, butterfly bushes, salvia, and lantana, so as to encourage new growth. This will ensure that the butterflies and the hummingbirds have plenty of nectar.
When it gets really hot and dry for extended periods, it’s a great idea to keep your lawn higher than 2 inches. Mow it at a lesser height and the grass turns brown. Stressed grass thins out and this encourages the growth of weeds. After September, when it cools down, you can mow it shorter
Yellow jackets and wasps really get active in August. They can be found around swimming pools, soft drinks, and picnics. If you have seen them flying to and from a low spot near the ground, wait until dusk to spray them. They will have all returned to the nest by then and you can kill them with an aerosol can pesticide of your choice (preferably one with a 20′ stream, so as not to get stung).
And last, but not least, be sure and trim up any shrubs that are looking shaggy now. Trimming any later than this month may cause the sprouting new growth to freeze and die. If you are unable to trim this month wait until the plants go dormant in winter.
Fall is just around the corner and we cannot wait for Mums, pumpkins, pansies, and lots of cool air. Enjoy these last hot days. There aren’t many left!
Ready or not Spring is almost here. Even though lately the weather has not been very spring-like, the official start date is only a few days away. Now is the time that your thoughts turn to a beautiful, healthy, green lawn. Many of you planted tall fescue in the fall. If you haven’t, you will want to put out your seed soon. Bear in mind that your spring planting will require more attention with the onset of summer heat.
It is not too early to start “getting your hands dirty”. If you can’t resist the urge, try planting “cool weather” flowers from seed. Pansies, violas, snapdragons and alyssum seeds can be planted before many of the other flowers. If you intend on adding spring blooming bulbs to your beds in fall, now is the time to take pictures of your spring blooming plants. The photos will help you decide which bulbs, what colors and where you need to add bulbs in the fall.