It is great to know that you can keep planting seeds and seedlings well into August and into Fall, at least for those of us in more temperate climates. August is a great time to plant cooler-loving plants like our favorite brassicas, kale, cabbage, and broccoli. Have fun getting dirty and please keep me posted on your favorite late-summer seeds and plants to plant!
V = Vegetable A = Annual P = Perennial H = Herb T = Tree
START IN FLATS
V: beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Asian greens, lettuce, peas, radicchio, spinach, Swiss chard
A: alyssum, calendula, Iceland poppies, lobelia, marigolds, pansies, petunias, primroses, stock, violas, zinnias P: carnations, columbine, coreopsis, feverfew, gaillardia, hardy asters, hollyhock, lupine, penstemon, phlox, purple coneflower, Shasta daisy, statice, yarrow
PLANT
V: early corn, pea (late in August) A: ageratum, celosia, coleus, cosmos, impatiens marigolds, phlox, sweet alyssum, zinnias P: achillea, asters, begonias, butterfly bush, cape fuchsia, coreopsis, gaillardia, lantana, lavatera, pelargoniums, rudbeckia, salvias, scabiosa, verbena Plant shrubby perennials for fall bloom B: crocus, dahlias, spider lily, sternbergia T: cedar, liquid amber, maple, redwood Plant trees for shade
DIRECT SOW
V: beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, chard, cucumber, eggplant, kale, onions, peas, pepper, potato, radishes, salad greens, shallot, summer squash, tomato, winter squash H: chicory, cilantro
FERTILIZE N-P-K
Fertilize well-watered and well-established citrus and roses for fall bloom with a balanced 12-12-12 fertilizer (1/2 cup bonemeal, 2 tablespoons Epsom salts, and 1/2 cup sulfur). Feed warm-season annuals with fish emulsion.
PRUNE
(see July) Deadhead coreopsis, delphinium, rose, Shasta daisy, penstemon, yarrow, and summer flowers. Shear California poppies. Lightly shape shrubs and vines, cut-out long shoots and suckers, and thin interior growth. Avoid heavy pruning.
MULCH IRRIGATION SOIL
(see July) Replenish mulch. Dig manure and compost into the garden. Water azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons well. Keep the compost pile moist. Deep water large trees and shrubs. Add a 2-3 inch layer of compost or organic matter to the garden.
PESTS
Control spider mites on marigolds, treat for chewing insects and watch for powdery mildew, peach leaf curl, and brown rot on stone fruit.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Toss out fallen decaying fruit and prepare beds for fall planting. Harvest flowers for drying like celosia, English lavender, globe amaranth, hydrangea, roses, statice, strawflower, and yarrow. Harvest vegetables. Save seeds.