August 2023 Tips

Dear Gardening Friends,    I sure hope August is cooler than July with more regular rain. I’m ready to turn the page on July.   As hot and dry as it has been don’t forget to water trees and shrubs. They need water too. When you water keep in mind that tree’s feeder roots are at the edge of where the leaves span and out from there. Unless it’s a newly planted tree you need to water deeply and well away from the trunk.   Many of my woodland perennials are showing signs of heat stress. Some have already died back for this season. If a plant has leaves browned from the dry heat cut the leaves off. I had to do this for blood root, trillium among others. It is less stressful for the plants to try and survive than to go dormant. Not to worry, they should be fine next year. The same thing is happening in nature.   Some plants need more water than others. Astilbe is one. If you see the leaves curling, water them right away. Once they crinkle up and turn brown, they will not come back until next season.   Powdery mildew had started showing up on susceptible plants like phlox. If it hasn’t shown up yet spray with an environmentally safe product for powdery mildew. Once it shows up those leaves can’t be helped. Remove affected leaves and spray the healthy leaves. The fungus can be spread by our hands and tools so be sure to disinfect with a spray of Lysol or whatever disinfectant you use before moving to another plant.   Check your plants regularly for signs of insects or disease. Determine the cause, and if any action is necessary, BEFORE you arbitrarily spray a pesticide or herbicide. Remember pesticides kill ALL insects, and herbicides kill ALL plants, the good with the bad. Always look for a nontoxic product.   A few holes in your leaves are not necessarily a disaster. Beneficial insects have to eat too. Remember butterflies and moths come from caterpillars so they are not necessarily the bad guys. Birds and many insects rely on caterpillars and other larva for their food and to feed their young.   By mid August discontinue fertilizing all plants except annuals. Perennials, trees and shrubs are starting their slow down into winter dormancy. They need to rest, not try and push out new growth.     Upcoming Gardening Events:   8/12, 11 – 2, WNY Hosta, Iris and Daylily Sale, Lake Erie Italian Club, 3200 South Park Ave, Buffalo.   Master Gardener Fall Gardening Classes:                Tuesday, September 12, ‘I’m for the Birds’ –                         6:30 – 8:00 pm, Roycroft Campus Powerhouse                                       Wednesday, September 20, Heirloom Gardening     6:30 – 8:00 pm, Roycroft Campus Powerhouse                                     Saturday, September 30, Shrinking Your Lawn: Benefits and Strategies     10:00 – 11:30 am,, Parkside Lodge                          Cost:  $15/class, 3/$45  Register at: erie.cce.cornell.edu/events     Garden Consultation: August is a good time to think about gardening successes, failures and make plans for improvement. Contact me for a garden consultation. I can help improve your garden and gardening practices as well as save you time and money!   Happy Gardening! Lyn Chimera Lessons from Nature 170 Pine St. E. Aurora, NY 14052 [email protected] 652-2432 Copyright © 2014 Lessons From Nature, All rights reserved. You're receiving this message because you requested to receive Lessons from Nature newsletters. Our mailing address is: Lessons from Nature 37 N Union Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences