My August 2010 garden to do list for Calgary zone 3

I hate to say it... it feels like summer is almost over for me.  The delphiniums have been cut down (my favourite flower!  sniff!) and I go back to "real" work in just over a week.  Humbug.

But there is still lots of beauty left in the Calgary gardening season.  In fact, in many ways August and September are our best months.  Here are some of the things I plan to get done in the garden this month:

• Deadheading - I grow annuals mostly in pots and these must continue to be deadheaded to get the most bloom.  Some perennials I deadhead also for tidiness but others that have nice seedheads I leave on.  I stop deadheading my roses in late August to discourage fresh growth and to let them form hips for winter interest.
• I don't fertilize my trees and shrubs, but if you do, stop now.  Again, promoting soft, fresh growth this late in the season is not good.  Better to start letting them move towards the hardening-off phase of their cycle.
• Weeding - I must admit I don't have much energy for this task any more.  I do a vigorous, thorough weeding in spring and then I'm tired of it.  But I do walk through each area of the garden at least once a week and if I'm too lazy to really weed, I'll at least pull the tops off any weed that is flowering so it doesn't set seed.
• Dividing and moving perennials - spring and fall are both good times to move perennials.  While they might be small and easier to handle in spring, in some ways I like moving things more in fall because the plants are their full size and it's easier to position them just right.  A general rule of thumb is not to move a plant while it's flowering, but sometimes the urge hits me and I don't bother to follow that rule.  Just be diligent with the watering after moving a plant and sometimes cut it back so it can spend less energy on flowering and more energy on establishing its roots.  A shot of 10-15-10 fertilizer will also help.
• Shopping! All summer I make mental notes of things I want to change or new plants that would be just right in such-and-such a spot.  Sales start now and good deals are to be had into September.  I'll buy perennials that look tatty if they're a really good deal in the hopes that I can nurse them back to health, but trees and shrubs must be in good condition or they're really not worth it.  It's also a good time to start shopping for bulbs - the sooner you plant them the better.
• Keep harvesting produce - yum! and if you have space, now's a great time to sow some more spinach and lettuce greens to get a nice fall harvest.
• Building - I'm building some new raised beds this fall so they'll be ready for early spring planting next year.  I've wanted these for years and gosh-darn-it they're getting built this year or else!

What are you doing in your garden these days?

Comments

[ina]

Hi, Janice , lovely garden. I'm still busy pulling some weeds. But I'm happy with my garden now, everything grow good, but I'm hoping I can get ripe tomato in August. You can see my garden in here http://wrobelfamily.blogspot.com
or just click on my name

Ina

[Janice Miller-Young]

Hi Ina,
Glad to hear it!  I checked out your veggie garden photos and am JEALOUS.  Also, it looks like you didnt need any help from me except maybe to learn to be patient with the Calgary growing climate!  Congrats,
Janice

[ina]

Thanks, but I still need help like how to get rid veggie's pest, and cure sick looking plant, but I know when I learn and I learn what I want to know.

[Prairiedawncottage.blogspot.com]

Hi from "LA"! I'm very thankful for your list and permission to do some transplanting and shopping now. What I thought was a simple project to paint our front door has turned into a big plan to revamp all aspects of our curb appeal. By the end of the long weekend I will:

- re-paint the porch (probably still white, but maybe I'll get creative)
- paint the door (maroon)
- decide where to move shrubs to make room for a porch extension
- maybe move a perennial or three
- further contemplate incorporating the sump drainage and downspout into the front landscape (or hiding it under the lawn)
- or just have a beer and save it for spring

...Pam

[Janice Miller-Young]

Hi Pam,
Wow, youre ambitious!  I need a beer just after reading your to-do list!  ;-)
Have fun,
Janice