August -- Water... Maintain... Relax!

During the heat of these dog days of August, we're all for relaxing in a shady spot and sippin’ something refreshing. But you'll also really enjoy getting out in your garden in the cool of the morning or toward dusk to do a little maintenance and care. Here are some ideas…

• Water, water, water! Don’t wait for your plants to droop before giving them an invigorating drink. During summer heat waves, keep a daily eye on your yard, garden beds and containers. Stick your finger about an inch deep into the soil, and if there’s no moisture, get out your hose and watering can… or reset your timers for more frequent watering. And remember, hot winds will dry out containers more quickly.
• Fill in those bare spots with 1 gallon annuals. If you've lost a few flowers or just want to spruce up the place before a summer get-together, pick up some colorful annuals now at your Fred Meyer Garden Center. Look for varieties in the 1 gallon size to create instant impact -- favorites available now include zinnia, verbena, cosmos, marigolds, petunias, begonias and impatiens.
• Two bulbs to plant now so you can enjoy their beauty next year: Colchicum and Bearded Iris Colchicum (right) is a very interesting plant sometimes known as "fall crocus" or "naked maiden." It offers clusters of lavender, purple or white blossoms year after year in late summer or early fall. It can be planted in window boxes or your flowerbeds, where it does best if left undisturbed season after season. Bearded Iris (lower right) provides beautiful spring blossoms, each bearing the characteristically ornate "beard" the plant is named for. They are much more likely to bloom next spring if planted in your Northwest garden by the end of August.
• Speaking of planting, how do fresh-from-the-garden vegetables sound? Enjoy a harvest of fresh vegetables this fall by taking time to plant them now. Favorites include several types of lettuce as well as spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips and parsnips. Be sure to keep them properly watered during these dog days.
• Divide early perennials. Now is the time to dig and divide bearded irises and Oriental poppies. When digging up clumps, don’t forget to inspect the roots, toss any worn-out pieces, and remove clinging grass and weeds. Next, replant divisions and water them thoroughly.
• Yellow jacket problems? They can be really pesty this time of year and prevent you from enjoying your meals outdoors. Stop by your Fred Meyer Garden Center and check out a variety of traps that will allow you to use your patio or deck more.
• Make compost. August brings with it an abundance of stuff for the compost pile: spent flowers, vegetable parts, prunings, grass clippings, pulled weeds. Toss them all on the heap. Hot weather will dry the pile out, so in the absence of rain, water it well. And turn it once more before fall arrives.
• Harvesting herbs. The best time to harvest your herbs to preserve their taste and freshness is in the morning just after the dew dries. If you aren’t going to use them right away, dry your herbs on a window screen (or similar material) in an arid, shady place for about 14 days. This process should make them dry, crisp and ready for eating when you need them.
• Snip off faded blooms. Encourage new blooms by cutting back the faded ones on your annuals.
  

See you out in the yard (or relaxin' in your hammock!)

While much of the information in these tips is applicable in several gardening zones/climates, some of the plants and timing suggested are best suited to the Northwest, generally in the mild/wet growing regions found along the I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate adjustments or consult local gardening experts in regions whose climates differ from this area of the Northwest.