Gardening Highlights for August
Article & photos submitted by Sue Wilson of the Gibson County Master Gardeners
It’s August and what are we thinking water keeps you from using products about as gardeners? One that can be harmful to our is the heat and the “dog pollinators. I believe they days” of summer! We do not want to wish love roses the most, but I our summer away, but when the heat also believe they will eat comes a lot has to change with our daily most plants. rituals of taking care of our landscape Continue to fertilize your plants in and gardens. August, but make sure whatever you use is If we are uncomfortable, so are our dissolved completely so you don’t burn plants, trees, and shrubs. This is why your plants. Always try not to get any on planning and relocating happen in spring the foliage. Remember that over time the and fall. nutrients in the soil are used up by the An example of rock in the garden. Watering is essential and should be plants. done early in the day because of less evaporation. But if Another important thing to do is, if your plants you can’t do it early, it is essential it gets done sometime haven’t grown enough, cover the soil to keep it from that day. Anything in containers such as pots, baskets, drying out. Use something like cedar mulch that will be etc. that can only hold so much moisture might have to good for the plant as well as conserve water. When be watered twice a day. cedar disintegrates, it is good for the plant, unlike some When leaves curl it is a good indication that the other mulches. plant, bush, or tree is trying to conserve its moisture. If it I am a great believer in rocks as the best way to has been planted in the spring this year, keep a close conserve water. Double layers of heavy black barrier eye on it each day to see how it’s doing. Sometimes, paper with nursery-grade rock such as Merrimac. The with a new tree, you will have to put the hose on it with a river rock is a beautiful way to conserve water if you can slow trickle of water to reach its top root to keep it alive afford to do it. If you plan to garden for years, you will in August. Deadheading is even more important now to save money using it because you don’t have to keep give the plant its best chance for survival. replacing it like you do mulch. Keep your tall, half-full buckets of water around The August heat will not stop your hardy mums from because the heat does not keep the Japanese Beetles putting more and more bloom heads on because they from devouring your plants. Drowning them in soapy are ready to give you their show come September October. When planted in the spring, they will be The Magnificent Monarch Photo Charles Kiesel through the size of bushel baskets in the fall. Like everything Join Charles Kiesel and the else, be sure to water in their fertilizer. I recently Friends of the Patoka River NWR purchased mums in Washington, Indiana, for more color to learn about the life cycle of the in my landscape in the fall. I have the same anticipation Monarch, its struggle to survive, for them in the fall as I have for my first burst of color in and what is being done to rescue the spring from my daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths. this species.The presentation will My motto will always be: Plant no more than you can be given at the Princeton Public maintain. August is truly the test for the care and Library at 2 pm CT on Saturday, maintenance of your beautiful landscapes and garden. I August 31st. Come learn what you can do to help. always get back more than I give!!
aking You TIME Alka Family Is Back to SchoolMIT’S Stressed? TO GO TO Chiropractic Center Dr. Kay Lynn Alka
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August 2024
Small Town Living