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August 2006 As you browse through your garden you will want to be deadheading (cutting off dead blossoms) of your annuals and perennials. This will not only prevent re-seeding but your plants will look much nicer. Also in many plants this will promote re-flowering. You will also want to be cutting back all of the unattractive foliage on plants that are past their prime.( Brown stalks and leaves, etc.) Do not prune landscape plants in August. Pruning encourages new growth which will not harden off before the first frost. It is always OK to prune off dead or diseased branches. Always make sure that you dispose of diseased branches somewhere other than your compost. You can go ahead and divide your Peonies, Iris and Poppies in August, but wait for September to do the rest of your dividing. Be sure that you continue to water any shrubs, trees or perennials that have been planted this season. You should also make sure that you keep feeding your annuals, especially those in your container gardens. As always you can keep weeding...those weeds just keep on coming and you really want to get rid of them before they go to seed. Find
a nice spot to sit down and admire your good work while enjoying
a nice glass of iced tea. Now is the time to start to make plans
for September. Have some plants gotten taller than expected? And
others not tall enough? Now is the time to think about what should
be moved so that you garden beds look even better next summer. Do
you need to add some additional color or texture? Now is a good
time to start to make some lists...some for the early Fall and some
for the Spring. Maybe even take some photos...I always have a
hard time remembering all of my plants when the snow is on the ground! Happy Gardening |
| In Your Garden comes to you courtesy of the Killingworth
Evergreen Garden Club.
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