Gardening

Gardener's Calendar for August

by Dr. William M. Johnson
Galveston County Extension Agent - Horticulture

August 3, 2005

The summer season thus far has been interesting from a weather viewpoint. June was a very dry month, both locally and statewide. We’ve had several named storms to date in the Gulf of Mexico but they have veered either south or east of our area. The rains came back in July. The last week of July was even marked by a cool front that provided daytime temperatures in the lower 90-degree range for a brief–but very much appreciated–period.

But let’s face it, August has arrived and the hot days of August can really test your devotion to landscape care. Working outside this month is not very pleasant, but some plants do need attention. So, carry an extra large glass of iced tea or water and make sure to wear a hat for protection from the sun.

The gardeners' calendar of activities for August includes the following:

• No room in your yard to grow tomatoes or cucumbers? Is your vegetable garden taking up too much space? Then try a different approach. Certified Master Gardener John Jons will give a seminar on Square Foot Gardening on Saturday, August 6, 2005 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Galveston County Extension Office located at 5115 Highway 3 in Dickinson. There is no registration fee but seating is limited and reservations are required (281-534-3413, Ext. 6 or GALV3@wt.net).

Square Foot Gardening has been around for a long time and is a tried and true method for intensive gardening in a small area. "This popular award winning program teaches you a proven method on how to successfully grow vegetables, flowers or herbs in a four foot-by-four foot area," says John Jons. "It’s an ideal way of gardening for either the novice or experienced gardener. Anyone who wants to just enjoy gardening or learn or experiment with gardening, and has a limited amount of space and/or time will benefit from this educational workshop."

• Looking for ideas on landscaping or what plants do well in the area? A visit to our Horticulture Demonstration Garden located next to the County Extension Office (5115 Highway 3, Dickinson) can provide ideas. There is a raised-bed vegetable garden and a fine example of how to setup a composting area in your yard. We have several plants that have performed well in the summer heat and a water garden that provides a refreshing spot to relax.

The Horticulture Demonstration Garden was constructed and is maintained by the Master Gardener volunteers. You are welcome to visit during daylight hours, seven days a week.

• Many spring-flowering shrubs form next year's flower buds in late July and August. Our summer rainfall has been fairly ample thus far. However, if weather conditions during August revert to the dry side, low soil moisture can reduce both the quantity and quality of spring flowers. This is true of azaleas, camellias, and other similar plants and even peaches, pears and others. Don't allow them to suffer drought stress.

• Mid to late August is a good time to cut back your repeat blooming roses. Cut them back about 1/3 and fertilize them to improve their upcoming show of fall blossoms. Spray with fungicides such as Funginex to protect foliage from blackspot and powdery mildew which can significantly stress bushes during this important time of the season.

Plumeria flowers. Photo credit: Dr. William M. Johnson

• Have you ever done a "smell test" on plumeria flowers? Most plumeria flowers are very fragrant and some are downright intoxicating. Each flower can last for several days, whether on the plant or brought indoors and placed in water. To perform at their best, plumeria require ample soil moisture. However, they do not tolerate "wet feet," so their root system must be provided with good soil drainage whether they are grown in containers above ground, in containers sunk in the ground, or directly in the ground.

Plumeria are heavy feeders and will bloom and grow vigorously if provided the proper amount of soil nutrients. Plumeria enthusiasts recommend fertilizers that are low in nitrogen (the first number) and high in phosphorous (the middle number), such as "Super Bloom" or "Carl Pool's BR-61" or Peters "Super Blossom Booster 10-50-10." Other specialty plumeria fertilizers can be used as well. Plumeria growers typically fertilize at least every two weeks during the growing season.

• Keep berrying ornamental plants well-watered to prevent droppage of fruit and the absence of berries this winter on nandina, hollies and pyracantha. Berry droppage on these types of plants commonly results when the soil moisture level is low.

• If you'll remove the faded blooms of the colorful crape myrtle, this versatile plant will reward you with a second bloom. Flower buds are waiting to come forth if the gardener will simply prune out the old blooms or end shoots. This is also an ideal time to select crape myrtle varieties for the landscape while they are in bloom for planting now or later this fall. This popular small flowering tree is available in a number of exciting colors known by just as many exciting names. For example, there is the pale pink "Near East" variety, or the "Dixie Brilliant," a red, and the deep red "Fire Bird." The "New Snow" variety is a white, and "Pink Lace" is a clear pink, while "Twilight" is a deep purple.

• To keep plants in hanging containers looking attractive, soak the baskets in a tub of water every week or so in addition to the regular watering schedule. This is a good time to also fertilize plants grown in hanging baskets.

August is full of long, slow and hot days, yet these are days demanding your gardening time, skills and endurance.

Dr. Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County
Extension Office of Texas Cooperative Extension, Texas A&M University. Visit his web site at http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/index.htm

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