August Garden Care Tips
As August arrives, your garden stands at a pivotal moment between the peak of summer and the gentle approach of autumn. This transitional month requires thoughtful attention to help your landscape thrive through the remaining heat while preparing for the cooler days ahead. Let Pinebrook Landscaping help with this transition and keep your summer garden flourishing.
Focus on deep watering during the early morning hours to combat the stress of late summer heat, and consider adding a layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and flower beds to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Many plants are beginning to show signs of summer fatigue, so this is an excellent time to deadhead spent blooms, prune overgrown shrubs, and remove any diseased or damaged foliage that could harbor pests through the fall.
August is the perfect time to start planning and planting your fall flower displays. Cool-season annuals like pansies, mums, and ornamental kale can be planted now to provide vibrant color as temperatures begin to drop. Consider adding native fall-blooming perennials such as asters, goldenrod, and sedum, which not only offer beautiful late-season interest but also provide crucial nectar sources for migrating butterflies and beneficial insects. If you're planning to overseed your lawn, late August is ideal for cool-season grasses, giving them time to establish before winter while taking advantage of the warm soil temperatures that encourage rapid germination.
Begin your fall cleanup routine gradually rather than waiting for the first frost. Remove weeds before they can set seed, and start composting healthy plant debris while disposing of any diseased material in the trash. This is also an excellent time to divide and transplant perennials that have finished blooming, as the cooler evenings help reduce transplant shock. Consider applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to your trees and shrubs to help them build reserves for winter, and don't forget to continue regular maintenance tasks like edging walkways and beds to keep your landscape looking polished as you transition into the most colorful season of the year.