By Karolyn Gephart
Suddenly, it is August, and fall is approaching, although the temperatures seem more like July and not September.
Fall plants are becoming available for planting, and the first cool air will make gardeners want to buy them and start the fall planting – how fortunate to have both a fall and spring season for plants and vegetables.
This is a great month to check plants for mulch. Add more mulch when needed to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.
Continue to maintain plants like cape honeysuckle, fire bush (Hamelia patens), firecracker plant (Cuphea ignea), cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit), or pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Many spring flowering shrubs will form flower buds in late July and August. Not enough moisture can reduce the quantity and quality of spring flowers. Monitor these plants for adequate rainfall and/or irrigation — azaleas, Camellia, peaches, pears, forsythias, and other similar plants. (Rain has not been a problem lately, but monitoring the rest of the month for moisture is important).
Caladiums require plenty of water during hot weather to keep them looking their best. Large-leaved plants like Hydrangea, coleus, and Chrysanthemum need extra water this time of year due to hot, dry wind.
Continue to water fruit trees as they set next spring’s fruit buds.
Planning the vegetable garden is important. Begin planting cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli seeds in a cool place to produce fall transplants. Plant these seeds – southern peas, corn, and okra.
If you cannot walk by a tomato plant and not buy and plant it, then maintenance during this month is required. Fertilize tomato plants weekly with a dilute solution of water-soluble fertilizer.
Mid-August is the beginning date for planting wax and Lima bush beans, pito beans, cucumbers, kale, and collards. For Galveston/Harris/Brazoria County gardeners, pepper transplants and Irish potatoes may be planted this month.
Mark your calendars for several upcoming events.
Heritage Gardeners will open their new year in September with a Master Gardener/County Extension Agent for Community Services, Ginger Benson, speaking about how modern gardeners can produce.
With great gardens come an abundance of produce, and canning your harvests can help. The meeting will be on September 5 at 9:30 am at 112 W. Spreading Oaks in Friendswood. Anyone interested is invited to attend.
The Galveston County Master Gardener Summer Sundown Sale will be September 13-14 online at txmg.org/Galveston. Fruit and citrus trees fall tomatoes, perennials, and hibiscus will be offered.
On October 12, the MGs will have their annual Fall Festival and in-person Plant Sale with Master Gardener-grown plants fall vegetables, herbs, bulbs, and plumeria on sale. The sale is at the MG Discovery Garden at 4102 Main St (FM 519) in La Marque.
While out and about, get in the gardening mood. Buy new gloves, pots, a fresh trowel, and maybe some plants and seeds you haven’t tried before. We are blessed to have a fall season. Plan to enjoy it.
