August:
- Keep an eye out for garden pests and treat immediately. Use insecticides wisely and only when and where needed. Always follow the product directions carefully! Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in determining the problem and the most effective treatment to use.
- This is a great time to add to your landscape with all of the nice trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials available at Nelson Nursery. As long as you keep them watered you will have good success.
- Begin to leave spent flowers of perennials and roses to set seed now. This helps to begin the slowdown of growth needed for their winterizing. Many seed heads can be left to add interest to your winter garden, or food for the birds.
|
- Remove rotting fruit and leaf debris promptly from all gardens, especially your vegetable garden, to prevent disease and insect problems, and avoid attracting foraging critters.
- Stop fertilizing trees, shrubs, roses and perennials this month. You don't want to encourage too much end-of-the-season growth that won't harden off in winter.
- Aerate your lawn before seeding this fall. Aerating allows water and air to reach the roots, reduces compaction and will improve your lawns overall health. With less frequent rains, and the hot weather of August, set your mower blade to a higher cutting height. Mowing less frequently and not as short helps to shade the grass roots and reduces the need for water.
|
- Starting in mid August, garden mums and other fall plants will be available at garden centers. As your annuals whither up you can replace them with flowering cabbage and kale or second season pansies. Also watch for fall blooming perennials to plant.
- August is a great month to attend garden tours - there are many garden clubs that do it. The Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska and the Como Zoo Conservatory in St. Paul are great places to visit. Also attend the MN State Fair!
- Mainly, what you want to do in August, is to continue to enjoy your own garden, it is good therapy!
|
![[IMAGE]](images/1009_nogardener.jpg)
![[IMAGE]](/eswpublic/images/image-loading.gif)
![[IMAGE]](images/751_nn_color_logo_2.jpg){kind=logo}
![[IMAGE]](images/664_nn_color_logo_2_reduced_size.jpg){kind=logo}