August

Allow tomatoes to ripen on the vine. Refrigeration interrupts and limits flavor development. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Start cuttings of coleus, begonias, geraniums and impatiens for growing indoors in winter. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Donate surplus vegetables to a local soup kitchen or shelter for the homeless.

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Lift, divide and replant Japanese and Siberian iris. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Keep up your garden diary. It will really help you avoid repeating mistakes.

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Look out for anthracnose lesions on tomatoes. Cut out the spots and eat these fruits fresh. Do not attempt to can or preserve anthracnose-infected fruit. Only unblemished fruit should be canned. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Plant annual rye, white clover or buckwheat in vacant garden areas. This can be tilled into the soil, replenishing the garden with organic material.

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Harvest rose hips for tea or jam - from unsprayed plants only.

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Sanitation is an important step in pest control. Keep the garden free of debris.

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Harvest onions when the tops fall over. Cure them in the sun for 3 to 5 days.

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Add compost to your beds. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Start ordering spring flowering bulbs to be planted in the fall. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Water the garden in the early morning.

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Give your roses a final feeding. Continue to prune and spray. For more information,see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Keep debris away from the garden. Sanitation is an important step in pest control.

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Pick up and destroy all fallen fruit from your fruit trees to reduce the number of pests for the coming year.

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Move houseplants back into a shady location to prepare them for their return into the house. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Do not over water your lawn. Follow Nassau County's water regulations and remember longer and less frequent watering is best. For more information on watering lawns ,see our fact sheet on this topic. For more information on watering practices, see our fact sheet on this topic. 

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Mulch is important at this time. Keep it 2" - 3" away from the trunks of your trees and shrubs. For more information, see our fact sheet on this topic.

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Cut and dry flowers for winter bouquets.

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Renovate lawns now. Begin the process of reseeding your lawn. Clean out dead patches, core aerate, top dress with finely screened compost and reseed. The area must be watered three to four times a day until germination takes place. For information building a new lawn, see our fact sheet on this topic. For information regarding renovating your lawn, see our fact sheet on this topic.

Last updated February 14, 2017