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.