Gardening Tips by John Begeman: August Gardening Calendar

	Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information *Gardening Tips by John Begeman*


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Index : August Gardening Calendar

1. Fertilize citrus

2. Wait to replace dead plants

3. Control Swarming Ants and Termites

4. De-thatch lawns

5. Cut back tomatoes

6. Continue fertilizing flowers, vegetables, and lawns

7. Avoid heavy pruning

1. Fertilize citrus - Top

Fertilize citrus to ensure good fruit size that will occur soon after. Tangelos are especially sensitive and respond best. Apply two pounds of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) fertilizer per tree on mature citrus. Water the fertilizer into the soil, or allow rains to soak the fertilizer in. If citrus trees are not growing properly the problem could be that soil or mulch has washed in and around the trunk. Pull back any soil away from the trunk and keep it away by using a lawn and landscape edging. - Updated: June 19, 2002

2. Wait to replace dead plants - Top

Wait to replace dead plants. October is the ideal time to replace dead plants. The weather then is cooler but the soil is still warm; ideal conditions for growing new roots. Remove dead plants now, and be ready to plant when the weather breaks this fall. - Updated: June 19, 2002

3. Control Swarming Ants and Termites - Top

Swarming ants and termites can be found about the garden and home. Flying ants and termites look similar, however, upon close examination they can be distinguished from one another. Ants have segmented bodies while termites have a non-segmented bodies. Termites also have antennae that look like a chain of beads. Control can be achieved by applying diazinon insecticide, or by treating mounds with an insecticide bait such as amdro. - Updated: June 19, 2002

4. De-thatch lawns - Top

De-thatch lawns early this month to allow time for the grass to recover before fall. Thatch is an accumulation of dead grass plants and roots that covers the soil and forms an dense mat that restricts the movement of water and fertilizer. Take a plug out of the lawn and check the depth of the spongy thatch layer over the soil. If this layer is one half inch or thicker, it should be removed by hand raking with a steel tine lawn rake or power dethatcher. - Updated: June 19, 2002

5. Cut back tomatoes - Top

Cut back tomatoes to one foot tall to rejuvenate them and stimulate fruit production in the fall. If you intend to plant a fall garden, remove tomatoes and peppers as they stop fruiting. Mix in organic matter, such as peat moss or compost, and let the soil rest prior to planting in October. - Updated: June 19, 2002

6. Continue fertilizing flowers, vegetables, and lawns - Top

Continue fertilizing flowers, vegetables, and lawns that may be nutrient depleted from the Monsoon rains. For garden plants use ammonium phosphate (16-29-0) or liquid plant food for flowers and vegetables. Lawns need a monthly application of ammonium phosphate or a complete lawn fertilizer. If plants turn a pale green or have reduced growth, flowering or fruiting they probably need to be fertilized. - Updated: June 19, 2002

7. Avoid heavy pruning - Top

Avoid heavy pruning of trees and shrubs at this time of year. Removing leafy growth opens the center of the plant to direct sunlight. This can cause a scorch of lower leaves, branches, and trunk not used to exposure to direct sunlight. Wait until Winter to preform any heavy pruning jobs. - Updated: June 19, 2002

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: 1. Fertilize citrus; 2. Wait to replace dead plants; 3. Control Swarming Ants and Termites; 4. De-thatch lawns; 5. Cut back tomatoes; 6. Continue fertilizing flowers, vegetables, and lawns; 7. Avoid heavy pruning

1. Fertilize citrus - Top: Fertilize citrus to ensure good fruit size that will occur soon after. Tangelos are especially sensitive and respond best. Apply two pounds of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) fertilizer per tree on mature citrus. Water the fertilizer into the soil, or allow rains to soak the fertilizer in. If citrus trees are not growing properly the problem could be that soil or mulch has washed in and around the trunk. Pull back any soil away from the trunk and keep it away by using a lawn and landscape edging. - Updated: June 19, 2002

2. Wait to replace dead plants - Top: Wait to replace dead plants. October is the ideal time to replace dead plants. The weather then is cooler but the soil is still warm; ideal conditions for growing new roots. Remove dead plants now, and be ready to plant when the weather breaks this fall. - Updated: June 19, 2002

3. Control Swarming Ants and Termites - Top: Swarming ants and termites can be found about the garden and home. Flying ants and termites look similar, however, upon close examination they can be distinguished from one another. Ants have segmented bodies while termites have a non-segmented bodies. Termites also have antennae that look like a chain of beads. Control can be achieved by applying diazinon insecticide, or by treating mounds with an insecticide bait such as amdro. - Updated: June 19, 2002

4. De-thatch lawns - Top: De-thatch lawns early this month to allow time for the grass to recover before fall. Thatch is an accumulation of dead grass plants and roots that covers the soil and forms an dense mat that restricts the movement of water and fertilizer. Take a plug out of the lawn and check the depth of the spongy thatch layer over the soil. If this layer is one half inch or thicker, it should be removed by hand raking with a steel tine lawn rake or power dethatcher. - Updated: June 19, 2002

5. Cut back tomatoes - Top: Cut back tomatoes to one foot tall to rejuvenate them and stimulate fruit production in the fall. If you intend to plant a fall garden, remove tomatoes and peppers as they stop fruiting. Mix in organic matter, such as peat moss or compost, and let the soil rest prior to planting in October. - Updated: June 19, 2002

6. Continue fertilizing flowers, vegetables, and lawns - Top: Continue fertilizing flowers, vegetables, and lawns that may be nutrient depleted from the Monsoon rains. For garden plants use ammonium phosphate (16-29-0) or liquid plant food for flowers and vegetables. Lawns need a monthly application of ammonium phosphate or a complete lawn fertilizer. If plants turn a pale green or have reduced growth, flowering or fruiting they probably need to be fertilized. - Updated: June 19, 2002

7. Avoid heavy pruning - Top: Avoid heavy pruning of trees and shrubs at this time of year. Removing leafy growth opens the center of the plant to direct sunlight. This can cause a scorch of lower leaves, branches, and trunk not used to exposure to direct sunlight. Wait until Winter to preform any heavy pruning jobs. - Updated: June 19, 2002

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