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Mississippi Master Gardener

August Garden Calendar

Prepare

  • Plan beds for bulbs. Order Tulips, Hyacinths, Dutch Iris, Daffodils, Narcissus, and Amaryllis.
  • Prepare beds for October planting by adding compost or leaf mold.

 

Plant

  • Daylilies in a sunny location, they will be well established before winter.
  • Divide and transplant Louisiana Iris, Easter Lily, Canna, Liriope, Ajuga, and Shasta Daisy.
  • Plant cool season vegetables: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Spinach, Potatoes, Lettuce, Carrots, Beets, Radishes, and English Peas.
    Plant warm season grasses: Buffalo, Bermuda, and St. Augustine.
  • Mums should be planted for September bloom and fall color.
  • Marigolds, Asters, Zinnias, and Celosia can be planted to replace faded annuals.
  • Plant seeds of Calendula, Columbine, English Daisy, Forget-me-not, Pansy, Sweet William, and Violet.

 

Fertilize

  • If acid loving plants including Azaleas, Camelias, and Gardinia show signs of chlorosis (yellowing of leaves), a treatment of Iron Chelate should cause leaves to regain their green color.
  • Feed mums with a complete fertilizer every two weeks and water thoroughly until buds show color.

 

Prune

  • Cut back annuals such as Impatiens and Vinca to encourage fall blooms.
  • Disbud Camellias, Dahlias, and Chrysanthemums to produce specimen blooms.
  • Continue to remove dead heads in the garden to stimulate blooming.
  • Cut back rose canes to 24-30 inches from ground for autumn blooms.
  • Remove dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs.

 

Water

  • Water garden deeply, but infrequently throughout the month.
  • Water early in the morning or in late afternoon. Water on leaves during the hot of the day can cause the sun to burn leaves.
  • Potted plants and hanging baskets need to be watered daily.
  • Make sure Azaleas and Camelias stay well watered, because they are forming flower buds for next year.

 

Miscellaneous

  • Mow weekly and leave clippings on the lawn.
  • Turn compost pile.
  • Feed the birds.

 

In Bloom

  • Ageratum, Angel's Trumpet, Balsam, Begonia, Browallia, Caladium, Canna, Celosia, Clematis, Dahlia, Four-o'clock, Funkia, Gladiolus, Lily, Hosta, Impatiens, Marigold, Periwinkle, Phlox, Portulaca, Rattle Box, Salvia, Snow-on-the-mountain, Torenia, Vinca, Pink Zephyranthes lily, Zinnia, Althea, Butterfly Bush, Crape myrtle, Hydrangea, Oleander, Roses, and Tamarisk.