Ahhh, that’s more like it! I may possibly even have sunburn. Normally I would be whining about it right about now but I will embrace it as proof that summer is really here.
August and September are all about the harvest…blueberries, early apples, raspberries, blackberries, huckleberries and all of the lovely veggies.
If you don’t have anything to harvest of your own you can still enjoy some of the seasons bounty by checking out your local farmers market or even better, grab yourself an empty ice cream bucket and head out to your friendly neighborhood blackberry patch…they are everywhere, parks, schools, empty lots and possibly even your own backyard if your gardening style tends more towards jungle than manicured. I think blackberries are my favorite August treat. They’re tasty, plentiful and free!! Well, not quite free, they exact a price in blood and bits of skin no matter how well you arm yourself against the tricky thorns! I do feel a bit guilty harvesting the blackberries from my thornless blackberries. I look at my full bucket and the intact skin on my forearms and feel like I’ve gotten away with something.
Here’s the list for August
Smile, your mowing has most likely slowed to a once in a week and a half event.
Water, when your municipal laws allow.
Get outside and enjoy your garden. Its ok to plant in summer as long as you are prepared for a few extra minutes with the garden hose from time to time
Continue to fertilize and deadhead your annuals.
Summer pruning can still be done for the next few weeks..
Harvest ripe fruit and veg. Continuous harvesting, just like deadheading, will extend the production. Don’t forget to save some seeds for next year. Harvest your oregano, thyme and other herbs for drying. You can harvest and make your Calendula, chamomile and other tinctures now.
Sow for winter veggie crops.
Take photos so you can plan to fill any empty spots in shrub and perennial borders.
Deadhead and trim back perennial borders as needed. Remember to not be too overzealous with your garden tidying; native pollinators will overwinter in the hollow stems of many perennials and grasses.
Continue to monitor for infestations of aphids and spray with a sharp stream from the hose or use an organic alternative when bees and other pollinators are not present.
Monitor and remove diseased and infected leaves of trees, shrubs and perennials. Always know what is affecting your plant before you act or indeed to determine if you need to even step in. Ask the staff at Art's for assistance, we’ll be happy to help.
Plan your bulb plantings now. You can plant your bulb groupings where later spring growth of perennials or shrubs will hide the bulbs as their leaves die down.
Bring some of that wonderful colour inside!.
Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!