Seven Summer Garden Tips for August

But it's also a time to evaluate your garden, both the successes and the failures, and decide what you may want to change for next year. Here are some tips to keep your gardens healthy in the heat of August.

Tip #1

Pull weeds as soon as you notice them.

It’s best to do this before they go to seed in the garden. This will help reduce overwintering weeds that can wreak havoc next year. Use the hand weeder for tough weeds like dandelions and thistles.

Tip #2

Remove spent flowers.

Also known as deadheading, removing spent flowers on on annuals, roses and perennials will reward you with more blooms that continue well into fall. Use the Fiskars® Multipurpose Garden Snips which comes with a handy sheath for cutting flowers to bring in the house or cutting off dead blooms.

Tip #3

Create dried flower bouquets.

Certain flowers are good candidates for drying including hydrangea blossoms, globe amaranth, celosia, straw flowers and ornamental grasses. Harvest them when they are dry in the morning but before noon when temperatures begin to get hot. With annual flowers, select those that are not fully open.

Once you cut the stems, strip all the leaves and remove any damaged parts of the flower.
Store them in a dry, dark, warm place, preferably one with good air circulation.
Depending on the type of flower, it may take two to three weeks before they are completely dry.
You can also hang them upside down to dry, or in a vase without water.
Once they dry completely, the blooms should last for years, although the colors will fade over time.

Tip #4

Prune and remove dead branches on shrubs and small trees.

Fiskars® has an excellent line of pruners and loppers to aid in safe and proper pruning practices. You can learn more about tree pruning here.

Tip #5

Keep new plantings watered.

If you’ve planted flowers, shrubs and trees within the past six months, make sure they are watered during hot, dry spells. You can also apply a fresh layer of mulch (1 to 2 inches thick) after you weed. This will help the soil maintain moisture and reduce future weed crops.

Tip #6

Have your soil tested.

A simple soil test can help you determine which nutrients may be lacking and what you need to add (according to what you are growing.) in the way of amendments to ensure your plants will thrive. Contact your state Extension Office for more information.

Tip #7