August                                                         

PLANT*:

• Plant portulaca, purslane, marigold, zinnia, copper canyon daisy, wildflowers and ornamental grasses for immediate color.  Many great types of salvia are available.  User spider lilies, fall crocus, fall amaryllis, mums, and asters for later flowers.
• Fall vegetable garden plants, especially the warm weather veggies. 
• Warm-season lawn grasses as needed – buffalo, Bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia.
• Horseherb, liriope, ophiopogon, Persian Ivy and other ground covers in shady areas where turf is struggling.
•  Wildflower seed if you haven’t planted already.
  
• PRUNE:
  
  Declining flowering plants to encourage more blooms.  Unruly growth from any plants.
• Dead and damaged wood from shrubs and trees.  No flush cuts or pruning dressings or paints.

FERTILIZE:

• Foliar feed all planting with Garrett Juice Plus, compost tea or mycorrhizal products such as Thrive. Also drench the soil of any new or struggling plants.
• If your soil is not yet healthy, apply dry molasses at a rate of 10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.  Do not fertilize wildflower areas.

WATER:

• Water deeply and as infrequently as possible.  Your garden and landscape will usually need more water this month than any other.
• Potted plants and hanging baskets need water daily. Expanded shale and/or lava sand added to the soil as mulch will greatly help hold moisture and reduce watering needs.
• Be especially careful of azalea beds and other sensitive plants.

PEST CONTROL:

• DISEASES: Spray viruses such as mosaic virus or curly top with 3% hydrogen peroxide.  Spray bacterial diseases such as erwinia or fire blight with hydrogen peroxide or Bio Wash.  Spray fungal diseases such as black spot, brown patch and powdery mildew.
• Grubworms: Good soil culture is the best control.  Apply molasses and beneficial nematodes and needed.
• Chinch bugs: Dust natural diatomaceous earth  (DiaSource) or spray one of the orange oil-based pest control products or another of the plant oil products. Do not use pyrethrum products for this or any other pest, although a natural product, it is far too toxic for organic use.
• Aphids: Water blast and release of lady bugs.   Spray Garrett Juice and garlic tea.  Add molasses to water spray at 2 oz. per gallon of spray.   Apply Sick Tree Treatment.
• Fire ants:  Dust natural diatomaceous earth (DiaSource) or spray one of the orange oil – based pest control products or any other of the plant oil products.  Apply beneficial nematodes.  Broadcast orange or grapefruit peelings and pulp.  Horticultural cornmeal also helps.  The application of grits continues to provide strong reports.  Spinosad granular products are also effective.  (Liquid sprays can injure bees).
• Chewing insects:  Dust natural diatomaceous earth or spray Garrett Juice Plus or garlic pepper tea.  Spray plant oil products such as Bioganic or Eco-EXEMPT if needed.  Add 2 ounces per gallon of orange oil or d-limonene for the hard to control insects.
• Cabbage loopers and other caterpillars: Release trichogramma wasps before pests appear and spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) at dusk with molasses added at 1 - 2  oz. per gallon of spray.
• Mosquitoes: Spray or mist one of the plant oil products (not pyrethrum) and apply dry, minced garlic at 1 – 2 lbs per 1000 sq. ft.
• Borers in peaches, plums and other fruit trees:  Use the Organic Fruit and Pecan Tree Program (download from DirtDoctor.com).   Apply d-limonene or orange oil to the affected parts of the trunks.  Mix into of a 50 / 50 solution with water.   Seal the holes with Tree Goop.
  
  

ODD JOBS

• Mow weekly and leave clippings on the lawn.
• Turn compost pile.
• Spray weeds in walks, driveways, and terraces with vinegar.  Use 10% or 100 grain with 1 oz. of orange oil, 1 tbs. molasses and 1 tsp. of liquid soap per gallon.  Carefully spot spray in beds and turf.   Do not use vinegar products that are 20% strength or stronger.  They are dangerous and may be petroleum based products.

·        Don’t forget to feed and water the birds!