Garden Guide: August Planting, Pruning, and Planning by Region

Northern Region Garden Tasks

As the days grow shorter and the sun moves further south, gardeners in the northern states such as Minnesota, Michigan, and Maine should focus on maintaining their gardens through August. While summer crops are still abundant, it's also time to prepare for fall planting.

Vegetable and Herb Garden

This is a great time to start planting cool-season fall crops like carrots, kale, lettuce, radishes, peas, spinach, and turnips. Direct seeding or transplanting broccoli, collard greens, and kohlrabi can help ensure a productive harvest later. Checking soil moisture regularly is important, especially during hot, dry spells. If the soil feels dry at a depth of 1 inch, it's time to water.

Harvesting green beans, zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, sweet corn, and onions should be done daily to prevent overripening. If you haven't harvested your garlic yet, it's essential to dig it before the heads split. Keep an eye out for pests like tomato hornworms and caterpillars that may damage your cabbage plants.

Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals

August is also a time to manage diseases like powdery mildew, which thrive in the warm, humid conditions. Deadheading flowers and removing diseased foliage can help keep your garden looking its best. If your first frost date is in September, mid-August is a good time to start dividing perennials. Planting new perennials and trees should be done with care, avoiding periods of prolonged heat.

Fruit trees in the rose family, such as apples, pears, and cherries, may show signs of fire blight, which can cause wilting, browning, or blackening of leaves and shoots. Monitoring these trees closely is essential.

To-Do Checklist

As the season transitions, consider buying mums early for the best selection. Ordering seed garlic now ensures it will be ready for planting based on your zip code. Watering and turning your compost pile can improve soil health. Purchasing fall-planted bulbs like daffodils and tulips, along with peony tubers, can help set up your garden for next year. Sending soil samples to your state’s Extension lab for testing can guide necessary pH adjustments and other soil amendments.

Middle States Garden Tasks

In the middle states, such as Kansas, Virginia, and Missouri, August brings intense heat, making early morning gardening the best option. Keeping plants tidy now can lead to a more manageable garden in the fall.

Vegetable and Herb Garden

Maintaining productivity in your edible garden while preparing for fall is key. In temperatures above 85°F, tomatoes and peppers may not set fruit, so using shade cloth can help improve your harvest. Daily harvesting of green beans and summer squash ensures they remain tender. Direct sowing of fall crops like beets, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes, and turnips in shaded areas can help them thrive.

Starting broccoli, kale, and cauliflower indoors can give them a head start for September planting. Pinching back squash and pumpkin vines encourages energy to go into developing fruits instead of long vines.

Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals

Reducing fertilization on perennials helps prevent tender growth that could be damaged by autumn frosts. Focusing on deadheading flowers and dividing irises and daylilies can promote healthier plants.

To-Do Checklist

Watering hanging baskets and raised beds regularly, especially in full sun, is crucial. Setting up a drip irrigation system on a timer can save time and ensure even watering. Testing the soil in your vegetable garden every few years can guide necessary amendments. Turning and watering your compost pile helps maintain its quality. Preparing for autumn cleanup by cutting invasive plants like kudzu and Oriental bittersweet is a proactive step.

Southern Region Garden Tasks

In the southern states, such as Texas, Georgia, and Florida, hurricane season poses a threat. Ensuring support cages and stakes are secure can protect your plants from storm damage.

Vegetable and Herb Garden

With many summer crops finished, planting cover crops can prevent weeds and add nutrients to the soil. Another round of snap beans, cucumbers, and squash can be planted, focusing on varieties resistant to powdery mildew. Keeping weeds under control by pulling them before they go to seed is essential. Starting fall transplants of broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower indoors can prepare your garden for cooler weather.

Flower Beds, Perennials, and Ornamentals

Weeding, watering, and deadheading flower beds can help extend blooming. Pruning tropical hibiscus for indoor winter storage and propagating roses through cuttings can help maintain your garden. Reapplying mulch as needed helps control weeds and maintain soil moisture.

To-Do Checklist

Watering and turning your compost pile keeps it active and healthy. Working compost into soil for fall planting can improve future yields. Checking drip hoses and irrigation lines for clogs ensures efficient watering. Maintaining your garden throughout August sets the stage for a successful transition into the fall season.