AUGUST..................................Average Daily Temp: 83 - Average Rainfall:3.9
WATER CHORES take top billing this month. Roses, azaleas, camellias, and dogwood need a minimum of one inch per week. Deep soaking is best; allowing water to slowly saturate the soil around the plant cools the root system. Bedding plants and flowerbeds, as well as elevated containers may need daily watering. Try to finish all watering by late afternoon, allowing time for plants to dry out before evening. St. Augustine grass will need at least an inch of water per week. Mowing at least 2 inches higher than usual protects roots from too much dry heat.
MULCH should be replaced if needed. Three or more inches of pine straw loosely piled around roots of heat-sensitive plant material will lessen the stress brought on by our inevitable summer heat.
FERTILIZE lightly. Use 8-8-8 or liquid balanced fertilizer on blooming plants. Use 34-0-0 on azaleas. Scratch in bone meal around irises. 0-0-60 (potassium) is a very good "stress" food for plants' roots. Apply lightly to moist soil. Water all fertilizer in well.
DIVIDE AND MULTIPLY iris this month. Work early in morning to keep yourself and the plants as cool as possible. Place clean roots (rhizomes) in a prepared bed made up of sandy loam and a cupful or so of lime. Irises prefer this slightly "sweeter" soil, with full sun exposure. Do not plant too deeply. Water regularly until established, but allow sufficient drainage.
ROSES may be planted anytime, even in August, if purchased in pots with large root system already established. Gently place in prepared bed and water twice. Continue spraying all roses for blackspot during entire growing season. Mulch should be kept as free as possible from fallen, diseased leaves. Water deeply and often to ensure adequate moisture. Prune spent blooms back to five-leaf cluster. Fertilize every two weeks using liquid fertilizer, or rose food. Fertilizing after September 1st should include liquid fertilizer only.
CLEAN UP spent blooms from flowerbeds and dead-head to produce new blooms.
MOW grass using higher blade setting. Consider mowing less often.
For organic maintenance, see Howard Grant, the Dirt Doctor at http://www.dirtdoctor.com
MULCH should be replaced if needed. Three or more inches of pine straw loosely piled around roots of heat-sensitive plant material will lessen the stress brought on by our inevitable summer heat.
FERTILIZE lightly. Use 8-8-8 or liquid balanced fertilizer on blooming plants. Use 34-0-0 on azaleas. Scratch in bone meal around irises. 0-0-60 (potassium) is a very good "stress" food for plants' roots. Apply lightly to moist soil. Water all fertilizer in well.
DIVIDE AND MULTIPLY iris this month. Work early in morning to keep yourself and the plants as cool as possible. Place clean roots (rhizomes) in a prepared bed made up of sandy loam and a cupful or so of lime. Irises prefer this slightly "sweeter" soil, with full sun exposure. Do not plant too deeply. Water regularly until established, but allow sufficient drainage.
ROSES may be planted anytime, even in August, if purchased in pots with large root system already established. Gently place in prepared bed and water twice. Continue spraying all roses for blackspot during entire growing season. Mulch should be kept as free as possible from fallen, diseased leaves. Water deeply and often to ensure adequate moisture. Prune spent blooms back to five-leaf cluster. Fertilize every two weeks using liquid fertilizer, or rose food. Fertilizing after September 1st should include liquid fertilizer only.
CLEAN UP spent blooms from flowerbeds and dead-head to produce new blooms.
MOW grass using higher blade setting. Consider mowing less often.
For organic maintenance, see Howard Grant, the Dirt Doctor at http://www.dirtdoctor.com