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AUGUST GARDEN CHECKLIST
Here's an August checklist for local gardeners
There are a number of things gardeners need to consider
during August, so here is a garden checklist:
• August is a great month to start a fall vegetable garden.
Bush beans, cucumbers, summer squash and other short-season
vegetables can be planted now. Cool-season vegetables such
as radishes, beets, carrots, lettuce, and others also can be
planted at this time. To ensure a good stand of fall crops
from seed, it's best to cover rows with burlap, paper, straw
or even boards to aid in keeping the soil moist and cool.
• Tomato season doesn't have to end now. With proper care,
tomato plants can continue growing and set more fruit as
soon as our weather breaks. Keep them watered and fertilize
them towards the end of the month to ensure a good fall
crop.
• Add water to compost piles during extremely dry periods so
that it remains active. Turn the compost to generate heat
throughout for proper sterilization.
• Irrigated bermuda lawns can be fertilized again using 3.5
pounds of 27-0-0 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. Around
Sept. 1, apply 2 pounds of 0-0-60 per 1,000 square feet for
grass to develop a winter hardy root system.
• Trees take a beating with high temperatures and lack of
rain. To keep prized trees, water once a week and water
deep. It is better to water more in depth, less often and
early in the morning.
• August-September is a good time to get rid of poison ivy
and unwanted honeysuckle. Be sure to follow label
directions. Since both are perennials, applying glyphosate
(example: Roundup) now can keep them from storing up
nutrients for winter and reduce the chance of their
surviving until spring.
• Avoid pruning spring flowering trees and shrubs now
because they are setting flower buds. Adequate moisture now
will give abundant color next spring. Avoid heavy pruning
this time of year, since you run the risk that the plant
will not have sufficient time to harden off before frost.
Light pruning or heading back can be done at any time.
• Strawberry plants are setting flower buds this month and
into September. Fertilize late this month to early September
with 4-5 cups 27-0-0 fertilizer per 1,000-square-foot bed.
Moisture also is critical for good flower-bud set and,
ultimately, a good harvest next spring.
• Fall webworms are showing up in trees. They particularly
like pecan, cherry and persimmon, but can be found in almost
any tree and, occasionally, shrubs. If control is needed,
use BT, Sevin, malathion, acephate or bifenthrin.
• Harvest seedheads of sunflowers as the heads begin to
droop and leaves turn brown. Prompt harvest is necessary to
protect seeds from birds and falling to the ground.
• Make a last fertilizer application on roses in early
August. Continue deadheading and spraying fungicide and
insecticide. Fertilome Liquid Systemic Fungicide (propiconazole),
Immunox (myclobutanil) or Funginex (triforine) will control
most foliage diseases, while acephate is a good choice for
insect problems. Rose beds can produce some of the best
blooms in the fall. Be sure to keep the soil evenly moist.
• Rejuvenate tired annuals by removing faded flowers and
cutting back long, leggy stems. Feed with a fertilizer and
the plants will be back in bloom in a few weeks. If they are
too far gone, pull them out and replace with new ones for
fall. Although marigolds usually are considered a summer
annual, they also are an alternative to mums in the fall and
actually may bloom longer.
• Stop pinching mums now. They set flower buds as days get
shorter. Fertilize mums once again and keep them watered
during the heat.
Note: Baxter County Fair is seeking horticulture entries for
the fair Sept. 9-13 at Baxter County Fairgrounds. All types
of vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants and field crops may
be entered. Entries will be accepted 2-7 p.m. Sept. 9 at
Baxter County Fairgrounds. For information, visit
www.baxtercountyfair.org .
For information on any of the above points, call University
of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension
office at 425-2335.
Mark Keaton is staff chair for Baxter County at UA Division
of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
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