Gardening in August means staying on top of watering and mulching to protect plants from intense heat and dry conditions. It’s a good time to start cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli from seed for a productive fall harvest. Read on for more summer gardening tips!

Plant Doctor Quips

Nick Macaluso, Plant Doctor at our Pyramid Way store, explains, “The intense heat around this time of year causes the plants in our landscape a lot of stress. This is especially true if they are surrounded by rock. Rock may look nice but it essentially has the opposite effect of mulch. It increases the temperature of the surrounding soil, compresses the soil making it harder for water to reach a plant’s roots, and it radiates heat back up to the plant. In fact, on a 100 degree day that rock kicks 150 degrees back up to the plant. If there is one thing you should do for your plants, it is replacing the rock or DG that surrounds them with mulch. Mulch will help with water retention, add organic matter to the soil, decrease the surrounding temperature, and more! A few inches of mulch will go a long way and your plants will thank you. I would suggest that you use the Soil Building Conditioner by G&B. As always if you have any questions about caring for your plants in the summer, come on in and see us.“

Steve Packer, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, explains, “We recommend staking trees because of the windy nature of our environment. Most trees should be staked for a minimum of one year or longer in real windy areas. Trees should be staked with stakes placed in the direction of prevailing winds using a wide strap that won’t rub or girdle the trunk. Check the staking material once every two weeks to make sure there is no damage to the trunk or to tighten if necessary. I have seen a lot of trees that were damaged by staking that was not properly maintained or left on tree to long. Don’t let that happen to you.”

Jeni Ware, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “It’s gettin hot out there! For the hottest time of the year I like to give my trees/shrubs/flowers a leg up with my favorite products that help them overcome stress. I advise starting with the ones in the yard that get hit with the most amount of sun or wind, or any newly planted ones that are trying to get their roots established. Fox Farm Boomerang comeback formula is one of these, as well as Superthrive. They won’t conflict with any fertilizer you have already applied, they will help the plants/trees shore themselves up to brace for the heat. You can apply Superthrive weekly (following the directions) and Boomerang every 2-3 weeks. For evergreens and acid loving plants like hydrangea or azalea, give them a dose of Fertilome Soil Acidifier with Iron, Zinc, Sulfur, Magnesium & Copper.“

Bird Nerd, Annemarie Tillotson explains, “August is the best month to see blooming wildflowers, look closely and you might see others appreciating the flowers too! Bees and butterflies (especially migrating Monarchs) are in full force looking for native or blooming plants. Harvesting from flowers takes a lot of energy, so be sure to offer supplemental nectar, fruit, or water on a shallow feeder or dish to help the pollinators keep going. Caught up in the excitement of wildflower season, especially hungry insects may crawl into feeders and drown in hummingbird nectar; add a bee/ant guard to plastic feeders to keep insects safe and hummingbirds happy! “

August
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • With the heat comes more nighttime feeding insects like earwigs that eat leaves in such a way they look like lace. Treat earwigs with Fertilome Come and Get It Spinosad Plus, or Diatomaceous Earth. Also, avoid watering at night if possible so that insects aren’t attracted to your garden.
  • Black vine weevils notch the leaf’s edges and leave little poo marks on the back sides of leaves. Treat weevils with Fertilome Tree & Shrub Drench. The best pollinator-friendly method of controlling weevils is to build up the population of Beneficial Nematodes in the soil. Applications of beneficial nematodes can be made in spring and in late August.
  • Spider Mites are on the rise and can be problematic with both evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennials. Hose off with a strong spray of water and treat with Monterey Horticultural Oil or Fertilome Triple Action Plus according to directions, in early morning or late afternoon. If the infestation is not severe, treat indoor and outdoor plants with Monterey All Natural Mite & Insect Control.
  • Mulch, mulch, mulch with G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner. Spreading a 3” layer of nutrient rich organic mulch around plants reduces water usage by up to 30%. Click here to read about the benefits of mulching.
  • Caterpillars may be causing ongoing damage; treat with Fertilome Caterpillar Killer with Bt or Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew.
  • Some yellowing & browning of needles on pines can be expected at this time of year as old growth makes way for new. Excessive thinning on the interior of the tree and/or browning or dropping needles on the tips of your branches; however, are signs of a problem. Bring in a branch and pictures to one of our plant doctors for a diagnosis.
  • Heat stressed trees will drop some leaves to conserve moisture. Additional watering and mulching will help somewhat in this situation.
  • Inspect your irrigation system for leaks, clogged emitters, broken/clogged heads, and other problems. Remember to adjust emitters out from the trunk or base of your plants as they grow.
  • Brown spots in your lawn could be a sign of insects, fungus, or lack of water from an improperly designed or malfunctioning irrigation system. To best diagnose the cause, bring in a lawn sample: 4” X 4” square and 2” deep that contains both healthy grass and affected grass to show our plant doctors.
  • Check all plants weekly to be sure they are getting adequate water; established trees, shrubs, perennials & roses require 1 inch of water per week throughout their root zones. Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials 3-4 times per week.
  • Water infrequently and deeply – not frequently and lightly. Early morning is always the best time to water. Nighttime watering can cause fungus on grass and attract harmful insects. Click here for How to Water Wisely for Healthy Plants.
  • Fertilize lawns with a sustained release fertilizer like G&B Organics Lawn Fertilizer to keep them green and water efficient through the hot months. Check out Water-Saving Lawn Practices Article here.
  • Control sucking insect pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, thrips, whitefly and others with lady bugs or Monterey Horticultural Oil. For chewing insects such as caterpillars, use Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew or Fertilome Caterpillar Killer with Bt, an organic insecticide for chewing insects. Ask us for best controls on significant infestations.
  • Bonide Tomato & Vegetable 3 in 1 and Fertilome Triple Action Plus may be used as an insecticide, fungicide & miticide up to the day of harvest.
    Continue to cultivate and weed.
  • White grub damage in lawns will begin to show up as browned-out areas of turf that pull back easily – like a carpet. Pull back turf and count grubs (white C-shaped larvae with black heads); 10-12 per square foot require treatment. Use Bonide Annual Grub Beater according to the label.
  • Watch closely for signs of scorch on tender new foliage – the margins of leaves turn brown and crispy – indicating lack of water and/or exposure to hot drying winds.
  • Monitor newly planted trees and shrubs for insects or disease. New growth is often the first area to be attacked by insects.
  • Pruning is generally not advised this month except for shrubs that have just flowered; prune immediately following their flowering.
  • Fertilize roses for the third and final time on or before August 15th with G&B Organics Rose, Flower & Bulb Fertilizer. Do not fertilize after August 15th.
  • Regular feeding is important for vibrant blooms & healthy plants. Don’t put off fertilizing – feeding too late in the season will put plants at risk when cold weather arrives.
  • For continued blooming consistently deadhead roses by cutting flowers back to the first set of five leaflets. Read our article here to learn how to keep your roses blooming.
  • Monitor roses closely for powdery mildew. If detected, spray with Fertilome F-Stop or Bonide Neem Oil or Copper Fungicide immediately. Dispose of infected leaves in the trash; do not compost.
  • Plant cool season fall crops in succession now.
  • Use Monterey Codling Moth Trap & Lure in apple trees to monitor their activity and spray with Captain Jack’s DeadBug Brew when they are active.
  • Remember that deep root watering your apple trees throughout the season will ensure maximum fruit production. Remove fruit infested with codling moths from the tree and pick up any that has dropped on the ground promptly and discard in trash to reduce codling moth population.
  • Keep vegetables picked so the plants will keep producing.
  • Monitor tomatoes and ensure that they receive an even supply of moisture instead of heavy soaking and then a drought.
  • Keep records of harvest dates to help plan next year’s garden.
  • Monitor vegetables for symptoms of fungus or blight: soft, darkened areas, yellow and dropping leaves, sunken dark spots on otherwise green foliage.
  • Monitor all plants for insects. Hand-remove large insects such as tomato hornworms, cicadas, caterpillars, and squash bugs.
  • Continue to harvest herbs to use fresh, dry, or freeze in small batches in an ice cube tray. Pinch off developing flowers to retain essential oils and flavor in the plant’s foliage.
  • Continue fertilizing vegetables with G&B Organics Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer every two months and Neptune’s Harvest Tomato & Vegetable or FoxFarm Tiger Bloom liquid fertilizers up to twice per week.
  • Remove yellowing daylily foliage or leaves that are browned and spotted. Green leaves must remain on the plant to continue to manufacture food. Deadhead individual flowers to keep plants looking tidy.
  • Perk up your flower beds and containers with late summer blooming perennials such as asters, mums & anemones.
  • Continue deadheading other annuals and perennials to encourage more flowering.
  • Fertilize container plants and hanging baskets up to twice per week with Fertilome Blooming & Rooting Fertilizer but avoid applying in the heat of the day. Always water plants before adding liquid fertilizer and avoid fertilizing drought-stressed plants.
  • Continue planting new perennials, ornamental grasses & roses.
  • During the hottest part of the year, it’s good to check the leaves of your plants for any signs of sunburn or scorching if they are in direct sun in a South or West facing window. Fully saturate the soil when watering: put a saucer or walled container underneath and top water, but allow the soil to drink up the runoff for about 30-40 min afterwards. Then dump any remaining water. FoxFarm Grow Big is great for leafy foliage on indoor plants as well. For stressed plants FoxFarm Boomerang is first aid in a bottle.
  • Rufous hummingbirds have arrived in the area and will stay until fall, so keep feeders full of fresh sugar water until then. Be sure to change every few days to avoid spoilage — more frequently if in full sun all day. To be of the best help to your hummingbirds and for great family entertainment, add a few extra feeders when Rufous are in town. Wild Birds Unlimited hummingbird window feeders make for great close-up birdwatching and can help give each bird their own space, or place several High-Perch feeders throughout the yard. Because Rufous are so feisty and territorial, be sure that no feeder is in the sightline of the others.
  • Many birds continue their main molt (replacement of their feathers) which requires extra protein to grow strong feathers for proper flight and effective insulation. For the next few months, offer high-protein bird foods, such as nyjer, peanuts, Jim’s Birdacious Bark Butter® and mealworms, to ensure that your birds have a reliable source of protein to help them with molting.
  • Add movement to birdbaths with water wigglers to attract more birds.
  • Continue to supply fresh water and change it every 3 days to keep it clean. To prevent the chance of disease, clean birdbath weekly with a weak bleach solution (1-part bleach to 9 parts water) and rinse well.
  • Store bird food in a sealed container and keep in a cool dry place to prevent spoilage.
  • To ensure that bird seed is eaten quickly and stays fresh, keep feeders filled with a one- or two-day supply of seed. This makes your bird feeding less wasteful and more economical.
  • If you’re on vacation this month, take advantage of the convenience of seed cylinders and cakes to keep your birds supplied with fresh food. Choose a flavor like Bugs, Nuts, & Berry with mealworms or Woodpecker’s Favorite with Bark Butter® Bits for added protein.
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily watch the birds it attracts. It can be installed in the ground or on a deck.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today!
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install, and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Our expert Plant Doctors can help you with your high desert gardening;
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns;
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them;
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers.
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctor@moananursery.com.