Summer in the
Garden
By Suzzanna Walsh, Master
Gardener
From Paso Robles, with temperatures in the triple digits, to
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.