TIPS FOR BULBS IN AUGUST:

Divide older Bearded Iris rhisomes. Cut out the woody parts and replant the rest. 

Plant fall crocuses now and crown imperials from now until October. 

Add several inches of mulch to Asiatic lilies. This will keep the roots cool, protect them from heat and deter weed growth. 

Watch your gladiolus carefully those with heavy blooms may require staking. 

Dig up your ranunculus and anemone to store for the winter if you haven't already done so. In warmer zones they can be left in the ground. Just apply a light mulch in fall. 

In late August you can dig up overcrowded lily-of-the-valley bulbs that grew poorly. Gently separate each plant and replant individually.





TIPS FOR FLOWERS:

Lay the finished flower stalks of Foxglove on the ground where you want new plants to grow or sprinkle the seeds from the dried pods. 

Continue to keep the soil around your shasta daisies and ferns moist but not wet. Ferns may become dormant if they get to dry. 

Continue to water container plants daily, as needed. Make sure you have provided adequate drainage. Feed every two weeks. 

Continue to weed flower beds. Remove faded blooms. 

Keep a close eye on your Nasturtium for aphids. 

Pick Sweet Peas regularly to encourage more blooms. 

Sow Alpine, Oriental and Iceland Poppies outdoors in a seedbed. Add compost or manure to Oriental Poppies. 

Pick fresh flowers for indoors. This will also encourage more blooms on most perennials. 

Remember to keep your strawflowers well watered. Try not to get the flowers wet when watering. 




TIPS FOR VEGETABLES:

Gather herbs for drying as they mature. Pinch the stems of basil regularily to prevent flowering. Harvest about once a week. 

Harvest sweet corn by pulling and twisting downwards. 

Bend over the tops of your cooking onions to prepare for lifting them. 

Harvest peas and broad beans before pods get tough. 

Lift maincrop potatoes after the stems have died. 

Harvest artichokes while the scales are still tight. 

Harvest cucumbers as they mature. 




GENERAL YARD & GARDEN CARE:

Don't forget to moisten your compost regularly to prevent flies from breeding in it. 

Hoe between rows and plants regularly. 

Water plants in the early morning to prevent mildew. 

Water according to the weather. Pay close attention to raised beds and container plants. 

Continue to watch for a get rid of weeds before they go to seed. 






TIPS FOR FRUIT & BERRIES:

Remove suckers and old canes from blackberries and raspberries as they appear. Harvest the berries when they fall off easily. 

Continue to keep the grass short around your fruit trees. Grass deprives the trees of nitrogen. 

Remove all but two runners on strawberry plants. 

Water blueberries, gooseberries and currents often during hot weather. 

Throw away any fruit you find that have been affected by scab (a fungus) 




TIPS FOR LAWNS:

Now is the time to feed lawns with a slow-acting fertilizer. 

Cut your lawn and trim the edges regularly. 

Watch out for yellow patches, leaf curl or poor growth. Increase watering if you notice any of these signs. 


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