Summer in the Garden

August 9, 2003

By Suzzanna Walsh, Master Gardener


From Paso Robles, with temperatures in the triple digits, to
Pismo Beach, with morning marine layer, to Nipomo, with its perfect weather (okay…I’m a little biased!); August is a confusing month in which to garden.  Should you put in new plants?  What should you do with existing plants?  What about watering?  In the North County, you probably don’t want to leave your air conditioned home to make a quick run to your air conditioned car, much less check out your potentially parched garden.  For those of you along the coast, or in beautiful Nipomo!, the milder weather makes gardening easier.  But still, what is the best August plan for your garden?  Herewith, some suggestions:

 

1.       Keep up with your weeding.  You don’t want those weed seeds to have a chance to set and give you a new weed crop.

 

2.       Deadhead your flowers.  In the heat your flowers will wilt more quickly.  For agapanthus, cut the spent flower down low on the stalk.  For roses, cut the stem of the spent flower down to the next set of 5 leaves.  Don’t forget to deadhead your annuals also.  This will promote a future bloom cycle.  Also, remove the seed pods from your fuchsias to prolong their blooming period.

 

3.       Some of your plants will benefit from a light pruning this month.  For roses, cut off dead wood, rose hips, and suckers.  Petunias will become leggy in the heat.  Prune them to about 5 inches from the ground.  They will become full and lush again in just a few weeks.

 

4.       Do a little fertilizing.  Fertilize citrus trees this month, or next, for the final time this year.  Feed roses now for a heavy fall bloom.  Don’t forget that your potted plants rely on you for their nutrition.  You should have your lawn set on a regular fertilizing schedule during its active growing period.  If you have cool season grasses, fertilize in spring and fall; for warm season grasses fertilize during spring, summer and early fall.

 

5.       August is not the best month for introducing new plants to your garden.  You can, however, fill in bare spots with summer flowers.  alyssum, cosmos, dianthus, impatiens, marigolds, petunias and Vinca minor are a few suggestions.

 

6.       Proper watering is, by far, your most important task in the garden this month.  Deep watering is more valuable than light sprinkling.  Soil type is an important consideration when watering.  Sandy soil requires much more frequent watering than clay soils, although the total amount of applied water may be the same.  Potted plants dry out quickly in the summer heat.  Plan on watering them frequently.  Water lawns in the early morning.  For more help with lawn watering guidelines, call the Master Gardener hotline and ask for University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources publication 8044 - "Lawn Watering Guide for California".  Avoid watering plants in the heat of the day.  Water in the early morning, late afternoon, or early evening to lesson evaporation.  Use mulch generously.  It keeps in moisture necessary for plant health, and helps with weed control.

 

University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers can provide additional gardening information upon request .Call the San Luis Obispo office at 781-5939 on Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 PM.  You may also call the Paso Robles office at 237-3100 on Wednesdays from 9 AM to 12 PM.  The San Luis Obispo Master Gardeners website is at http://groups.ucanr.org/slomg/.  Questions can be e-mailed to: mgsanluisobispo@ucdavis.edu.