Weather-wise it was a nice first week of August with cooler temperatures and some rain. Unfortunately, the remainder of the month can do justice to the “dog days of summer” heat and humidity gardeners crave fall. The following things can be done this month in addition to the never-ending chores of watering, removing, and controlling weeds.
vegetables
· August is a good month to start your fall vegetable garden. French beans, cucumbers, and summer squash can be transplanted for another crop. Beets, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, and other cool seasons can also be grown at this time. Further information can be found in the OSU factsheet HLA-6009.
· Soak vegetable seeds overnight before planting. After planting, cover them with compost to avoid crusting the soil and keep them moist at all times. After germination, mulch to keep the planting bed moist and provide shade during the initial establishment.
flower
· Towards the end of the month, if necessary, you can divide and replant spring-flowering perennials such as irises, peonies and daylilies. Discard older portions and replant the holders in compost-enhanced soil.
Generally
· Water compost during extremely dry periods to keep it active. Rotate the stack to generate heat throughout for proper sterilization.
· Always follow synthetic and natural pesticide product directions whenever you intend to use them. More is NOT better.
Watch for high populations of caterpillars, aphids, spider mites, thrips, scales and other insects on plants in the garden and landscape and treat them with IPM (Integrated Pest Management) by hand picking, hose spraying or spraying with insecticidal soap.
· Water all plants thoroughly unless there has been adequate rainfall. It is better to water deeper, less often and early in the morning. The roots of shrubs and perennials are usually 12 “deep and tree roots are about 18” -24 “deep, so spraying the top of the soil is a waste of time, water, and damage to the plants.
trees and shrubs
· Set dead roses from mid-August to initiate winter hardiness. New growth forced by pruning is susceptible to insect and frost damage.
· Do not fertilize bushes and trees until next spring. The new growth is also prone to insect and frost damage.
· Look out for the second generation of autumn webworms from late August to early September. Remove nets that surround branches and destroy them. If they’re too tall to reach, you can poke holes with a long rod and pull them down. Do not stand under the net when you pull it down! I let the birds take care of the webworms when they hit the ground.
Lawn and lawn
Winter grassy weeds such as poa annua, better known as annual bluegrass, slippery blackberry, henbit (the one that makes your lawn a pretty purple carpet), mouse-eared chickweed, chickweed, cranesbill, and shepherd’s purse are the most common winter annual weeds gardeners turn to Afflict Oklahoma during the cooler months. Not only are these winter weeds unsightly, but heavy infestation can damage Bermuda grass during spring greenery.
A good rule of thumb for pre-emergence to prevent winter weeds from germinating is that in Oklahoma they must be planted from the third week of August through September 15. After September 15th, the weed seeds will already begin to germinate and will appear as large ugly green patches on your dormant lawn in winter. We in southern Oklahoma can usually postpone the deadline for applying for pre-emergents until October. I know we still mowed in October for the past two years, and it was hot until Thanksgiving; So the soil temperatures were still high enough that the winter weeds hadn’t started to germinate. Check Oklahoma Mesonet for detailed coverage of everything related to Oklahoma weather, including ground temperatures at various depths.
For more information on lawn maintenance in Oklahoma, see the following OSU factsheets:
HLA-6420 Turf Management in Oklahoma
HLA-6421 Weed control in home lawns
L-253 Don’t Bag It Lawn Care Plan
If you are interested in learning more about lawn maintenance and fall gardening in southern Oklahoma and more, Betty Sue Tow and I will be teaching Home gardening and landscaping for the fall semester on Mondays from 6-8 a.m. at Southern Tech in Ardmore. You can come by to sign up or call 580 223-2070.
Learn what, when, where, and how to plant in Southern Oklahoma, and how to work with what you have to create a beautiful garden that is both beautiful and environmentally friendly. Courses include Organic Horticulture, Landscaping, Xeriscape Horticulture, Native Plants, Vegetable Gardening, Oklahoma Proven Plants, Lasagna Horticulture, Raised Beds, Crepe Myrtle, IPM, Pass-Along Plants, Cottage Horticulture (New American Gardening), Soil Preparation , Sowing, plant propagation and much more. Hope to see you in class and have fun gardening!
