August
Chores and Maintenance
- Remove mildewed annuals
- Continue deadheading annuals and perennials
- Lightly prune overgrown hedge, foundation plantings
- Prune wisteria for last time
- Continue to cut off flower stalks of daylilies, after blooming
- Clean cold frames for fall use
- Order spring flowering bulbs
- Begin to critique garden for next yearʼs improvement
Plant and/or Transplant
- Transplant broadleaf evergreens, especially hollies
- Begin planting spring flowering bulbs
- Transplant biennial seedlings for next yearʼs blooming
- Plant Madonna lilies, chrysanthemums, kale for fall color
Fertilize
- Roses, trees and shrubs - after leaves fall from deciduous trees
- Chrysanthemums – weekly until buds show color
- Lawns – use nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K) - ratio 4-1-4
Pest Control
- Begin Japanese beetle grub treatment
- Watch for aphids and black spot
- Check euonymous, privet, pachysandra for scale insect – treat with oil spray