Planting

Palms should be planted by the end of this month so they will be well established before cold weather sets in.

Transplanting

Best done during the fall and winter months.

Fertilizing

Watch for iron deficiencies. Symptoms include yellow foliage, a pattern of green veins on a yellow-green background.

Pest Control

This late in the year it is questionable whether spraying a pest is worth it. Deciduous tree leaves often begin a slow decline.

Pruning

Spring flowering trees have set their flower buds for next year and should not be pruned.

Water

The heat will make it necessary to water recently planted trees if rainfall is less than 1 to 1 ½ inches per week. Use a water hose and let it drip slowly for 30 to 45 minutes at the base of the tree. Watch the lawn to determine when to water older well-established trees. When the lawn looks thirsty it’s time to water shade trees as well. Use a lawn sprinkler and apply about an inch of water.

Planting

Container roses can still be planted but require deep watering whenever we go 5 – 7 days without a good rain of 1 to 1 ½ inches.

Transplanting

Do not transplant roses this month.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing during late summer is second in importance only to the spring fertilization. Extra nutrients provided now will encourage vigorous growth and flowering over the next three months.

Pest Control

Blackspot, leaf-cutter bees may chew round holes from the edges of rose leaves.

Pruning

It is important to prune roses now to get them in shape for the fall blooming season. Top the bush back to the desired height, remove all dead wood, diseased canes and twiggy growth. Cut each remaining cane back to just above a bud (preferably facing away from the center of the bush).

Watering

Keep roses watered as needed to maintain a moist soil. Do not allow our roses to wilt before you water them. Mulching 3 to 4 inches deep reduces the required frequency of watering.

Planting

Continue to plant warm-season grasses.

Fertilizing

Apply a fertilizer that has a high first number, a low second number and a third number somewhere in between.

Pest Control

Fleas infest lawns this time of year and can be easily treated.

Mowing

Continue to mow as needed.

Watering

Unless at least ½ inch of rain falls, it should not be considered a “good rain” and additional irrigation will be needed.

Planting

Just as in June and July you can plant successfully in the heat of the summer if you water your shrubs and monitor them for drought stress. A simple soaker hose on newly planted shrubs with an automatic faucet timer makes it easy to maintain adequate water for your beds.

Transplanting

This is not a good month to transplant.

Fertilizing

August isn’t a good month for fertilizing plants.

Pest Control

Watch for spider mites on azaleas and junipers – they cause foliage to become faded and junipers will turn brown when infected. You can detect them by placing a piece of white paper under the suspected area and brush the leaves. Look for tiny black specks to fall onto the white paper. If you see these specks moving then you have spider mites. They are treatable.

Pruning

Finish shearing hedges or pruning shrubs not grown for flowers. Do not prune camellias this month.

Watering

Provide deep, thorough irrigation with sprinklers or soaker hoses.

Planting

Plant salvias so they can flower in the fall and early winter.

Transplanting

It is still too hot to move and transplant perennials.

Fertilizing

Fall blooming perennials need to be fertilized this month to help them have an outstanding fall blooms.

Pest Control

Whiteflies can be a major problem in late summer. Spider mites thrive in hot, dry late-summer conditions.

Pruning

Cut back and remove dead flower stalks and unattractive growth on perennials along with deadheading regularly.

Watering

If you notice plants wilting you are waiting too long before watering your garden.

Planting

Continue to plant replacements for annuals that are no longer attractive.

Fertilizing

Fertilize annuals that you have pruned back to encourage regrowth.

Pest Control

Insects will still be a potential problem so be on the lookout for them.

Watering

Water as needed depending on how much rainfall is received.