Now is the perfect time for landscaping

GEORGE KAAS

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Undertaking a landscaping or garden makeover project is a gratifying and fun way to take advantage of our warm, sunny days. One reason landscaping now is such a good idea is plants are still actively growing. Your new garden will have a jump-start before everything starts winding down in a couple of months. You'll still have strong root development, but also some filling in of foliage. Another reason to plant now is availability and selection at the nurseries. After Labor Day there are not many more shipments.

As a garden coach and designer, I want to emphasize making even a simple sketch of the area you are developing before you go to the nursery. If you are unsure of exactly what tree, shrub or perennial combination, that's alright. The professional staff at our local full-service nurseries will be able to look at your plan, ask questions about exposure and soil conditions and be able to make suggestions.

Remember, the best plant choices are only as good as the soil. Before planting, take some serious time to work and amend the soil. Make sure drainage is adequate and there is a good supply of organic matter. You also need to consider irrigation because you need to keep everything moist through the middle of October. A temporary drip or soaker system may be set up so you are not constantly pulling a hose. It's even more efficient if you set up a timer.

AUGUST GARDEN CALENDAR

LAWNS

Starting from seed Some of my best lawn installation projects by seed have taken place this time of year. Prepare the soil and include a starter fertilizer with the right blend of seed. Top-dress with a light coating of peat moss and keep it moist for the next couple of months.

Rain garden. With the slowing of lawn growth now, you may want to take advantage and reduce the size of the lawn. With the use of a sod-cutter you could help improve your immediate environment by creating a rain garden. Basically, this is an area where you may capture runoff from roof tops, driveways and other hard surfaces and allow it to filter back down to the natural water table instead of losing it altogether. Rain gardens are an opportunity to improve the appearance of the garden and create a buffer from streets and neighboring properties that may be positioned higher than yours.

Aerate and water. If your lawn has already turned yellow-brown and gone dormant for the year, then relax until new growth returns in September. But if you are trying to keep the green, then consider aerating and watering regularly.

PEST CONTROL

Sanitation and general garden clean-up make a huge difference in preventing pest problems during the rest of the summer and into the fall. Weeds are releasing their seeds and many insects are laying eggs that will overwinter.

Fungi. Be aware of rust fungus, especially as you are grooming. Spores may release now and spread. If you have had garden problems with fungus in the past, consider an application of lime sulfur or superior oil to prevent germination and excessive growth.

Health. Keeping plants well fed and protected from overhead watering will also help prevent disease and make plants less susceptible to pests. Slugs tend to collect in the cool, dark spots of the garden during hot weather, making them easy to collect. The explosion of aphids are easily managed with a strong jet stream of water from the hose or a mild soap spray.

HERBS & VEGETABLES

Thin� out new plantings and keep picking the early peas and radishes.

Plant� a second crop of lettuce, bush beans and carrots for fall and winter harvest.

Sow� seeds of Swiss chard, kale, mustard, beets and turnips. Start with snowpeas because they need 3 months before first frost.

Tie� newest growth of tomato stems onto stakes or a wire cage for support.

Cover� your new cauliflower heads.

Consider� a side-dressing of fertilizer to boost growth and production through the summer.

This is a big harvest time so check and pick often. Fruit trees need to be deeply watered now to push fruit development. Summer pruning new plantings also helps to concentrate energy and strengthen supporting scaffold branches.

Lavender in its many forms provides a great show of color as well as fragrance. Combine with plantings of Russian sage for a dazzling show and heady aromas. Both are known for their ability to grow anywhere; they also attract hummingbirds. Planting artemesia and yarrow not only adds splashes of silvery-white to the garden, but also helps deter bothersome insect pests.

Consider an edible landscape garden and add a border of spinach in addition to the asters.

GENERAL MAINTENENCE

Summer shaping: It sometimes feels like the garden is growing faster than I am able to keep up. The flush of spring growth has thickened and enlarged into huge blots of continuous green in some areas of the garden. This is a good time of year to break out the shears for some summer shaping and defining. Roses provide flowers all summer and need tending. Prune back spent blooms down to five leaflets and keep them fed and watered for the next cycle of flowers.

Irrigation: The most important job in the garden now is watering. It is a delicate balance between the amount of moisture absorbed from the soil and the amount of transpiration or loss of moisture from the foliage. Drought stress occurs when transpiration exceeds absorption. Water shrubs and trees deeply and directly for the greatest efficiency.

Plants in containers, baskets and new plantings require water most often. A 2-inch to 3-inch layer of organic mulch holds in moisture and increases filtration of available water. It provides primary nutrients, especially nitrogen, and it will keep the roots at an evenly cool temperature.