Late Summer Gardening Tips
Gardening chores aren’t over yet. (Are they ever?) August is a month where you certainly enjoy the fruits and flowers of your labor. Harvest delicious veggies, enjoy the magnificence of your flowers, and your yummy herbs. But there are many things you can do to make your garden even better and August is the perfect time to do them.
Late summer is the perfect time to plant perennials and shrubs. They will take root in the cool, moist Fall weather to come and be ready to bloom and flourish next Spring and Summer. Items on this planting list are Daylilies, Hydrangeas, Sedums, Ornamental Grasses, Peonies and Irises. And you may get them at bargain prices this late in the season! Just water them well if it’s dry and hot. Make sure to mulch them well their first Winter.
The oils responsible for the most intense flavor of herbs are at their peak in late summer so it’s a great time to harvest your herbs. Do it in the morning. Cut herbs just above a leaf cluster, or for Chives and Parsley cut at the bottom of the stem. Wash and dry them on a paper towel. You can dry them in bunches, tied with a rubber band, upside down in a dust-free, dark space. Or you can dry them on a cookie sheet in the oven at low heat (110 degrees F or lower) and leave the door ajar slightly. Then store them in airtight containers out of sunlight for up to a year. Or, depending on how you plan to use the herb, you can freeze them in an ice cube tray of either water or oil.
August is a great time to divide your perennials for a larger, fuller garden at no cost. Dig up perennial flowers like Hosta, Oriental Poppy, Lilies, Ornamental Grasses and Irises. Use a spade, shovel or garden knife to cut the root ball into smaller pieces and replant them as soon as possible, giving them lots of water.
Refresh your garden, pots and planters with Fall plants. Some of your flowers, especially annuals, may start to look dreary, leggy and worn out by the end of summer. Perk up your space by replacing annuals with pretty bunches of Chrysanthemums. There are so many colors, so many varieties from which to choose and mix and match. They’ll instantly brighten the space with vibrant color. And pollinators like migrating butterflies will be attracted to their nectar. You can also use Asters, Ornamental Cabbages and other Fall favorites to update your look.
Ready to refresh and renew your garden and pots? All the tools, advice, and pretty plants you need for your August garden are available at Longenecker’s Hardware. Plus many other items you might like for your update, like garden flags, fountains, decorative pots, fertilizer, weed prevention, canning supplies, bird feeders, and more.
