August… besides
vacations, other activities that will pull you away from your list of gardening
duties are fairs, festivals, family outings, and back to school preparations.
It really is a good thing that August is a slow month for working in your
landscape.
Here are a few health
benefits of enjoying the outdoors. Studies show that depending on the activity,
gardening can burn between 250 and 500 calories per hour. For many people
gardening is a creative outlet, for others it’s the change of scenery from the
daily grind that makes a difference. Still others find that the satisfaction of
reaping the rewards (those tasty fruits and vegetables, and beautiful flowers)
of your efforts is what helps to reduce stress levels.
Your main tasks for
this month both begin with the letter W. Weeding and watering. It is important
to stay on top of the weeds. If you let them get ahead of you and they go to
seed, you are going to have hundreds more to deal with this fall and next
spring. Spraying weeds with an herbicide such as Roundup is one of the easiest
ways to rid of weeds. Be very careful
when spraying around the plants that you want to grow in your landscape. It
generally is best to pull weeds that are growing in and immediately around your
desirable plants, and spray those that are “in the open”. As far as watering
goes, most plants will survive on 1” of water a week. A rain gauge will help
measure the amount.
Mowing the lawn is
another task that continues in August. Due to the usually hot and dry
conditions that are the norm in August, you may be able to space your mowing
times further apart. That is unless you have an irrigation system to keep your
lawn growing vigorously.
If you are thinking
about a new addition to your landscape this fall, now is the time to talk to your
favorite landscape designer. Your designer can discuss your needs with you,
design the changes or new additions, and get you on the schedule for a fall
installation.
If you tried your hand
at seasonal vegetable or square foot gardening this spring, here are a few ways
you can enjoy a fall garden. Carry tomatoes, peppers and basil plants over in
your fall garden. Direct sow beets, radishes, turnips, leafy greens and spinach
now where other spring crops such as broccoli and cauliflower have come and
gone for this year. Replant nursery
starts of broccoli and cauliflower.
Last but not least,
take care of yourself. During the hot time that is referred to as August, it is
easy to over exert yourself. Drink plenty of fluids and rest in the shade as
needed.
See you next
month……….in the garden
Sandi Hillermann
McDonald
