Planting

• Trees and shrubs can be transplanted in the autumn.
• Plant one year old asparagus crowns in the vegetable garden this month.
• Finish planting spring-flowering bulbs.

Pruning

• Time to trim existing asparagus foliage. Cut to the ground after the foliage is killed by frost.
• Cut back and clean up frost-killed perennials.
• When cutting holiday greener, use sharp pruners to make cuts above a bud or side branch.
• Prune out older canes on blackberries and raspberries.
• Do NOT prune shrubs in September, October, or November

Spraying

• None

Lawn Care

• Mow your cool season or tall fescue lawn as needed.
• Keep tree leaves from collecting on your lawn.

Propagation

• Water your cuttings in the coldframe as needed.
• You may want to try your hand at air layering on some of your house plants like dieffenbachia or dumb cane.

Specific Chores

• Soil test results should be back if samples were sent in September or October. Apply the recommended lime to the areas in need of liming. Wait until spring to fertilize.
• Remember that peak season soil test fees begin December 1, so get your samples in early this month to avoid the fee.
• Check with the local Extension office for the recommended fruit varieties for the area.
• Order fruit trees and grape vines this month for a February or March delivery and planting.
• Remember to water your evergreen trees and shrubs thoroughly before winter set in, particularly if weather conditions have been dry.
• Look to see if screens or windbreaks are needed around your home.
• Continue filling the compost bin with the fallen leaves.
• Look for yuletide plants as gifts. Remember, some plants like poinsettias should be placed in the sunniest room in the house.
• Consider giving your family gardener a holiday gift to use in the garden.

Lawn Care
•    Treat all lawns for grubs with the recommended insecticides if needed.
•    1/3rd of the growth should be removed when mowing warm season grasses. Cool season grasses should be mowed at  3 – 3.5 inches.
•    Try to change direction when mowing your lawn.  This will help strengthen the roots system and expose different sides of the plant to sunlight.

Fertilizing
•    Be sure to fertilize strawberries with nitrogen this month.
•    Do NOT fertilize shrubs this month.
•    Now is a good time to take soil samples from your lawn especially if you plan to put out cool season grasses.  Soil boxes can be picked-up at the County Extension office.

Planting
•    Vegetables to be planted in August: beets, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, radish, rutabaga, spinach, squash, and turnips.
•    Transplant broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower plants in mid-August.
•    Continue repotting overgrown houseplants.
•    Plant pansy seeds in flats this month so they can be transplanted to the landscape in September.
•    Perennial seeds to sow this month: hollyhock, delphinium, and stokesia
•    Spider lily, colchicum, and sternbergia bulbs should be planted this month.

Pruning
•    Late summer is NOT a good time to prune trees and shrubs because pruning will stimulate new growth.  That new growth will not have enough time to harden before it turns cold.  Late January and February are the best times to do major pruning.
•    Any dead or diseased wood can be pruned out anytime of the year.
•    Excessive growth on wisteria vines should be stopped to encourage blooms.  Cutting back runners and root pruning can do this.  Use a sharp spade and insert the blade to its full depth in a semi-circle about 6 feet from the main stem.

Spraying
•    Watch shrubs for the following insects: spider mites, and lace bugs.
•    Use recommended herbicide to control poison ivy, honeysuckle, greenbriar, kudzu, trumpet creeper, and wisteria if desired.
•    Continue with rose spraying program.
•    Continue fungicide program for fruit trees and bunch grapes.
•    Peach and nectarine tree need a trunk spray for peach tree borers at the end of August.
•    Spray the following vegetables if insects are observed: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and squash.
(Pesticides should be used sparingly!  Use only when needed and always follow the label)

Other Activities
•    Prepare a planting plan if you intend on doing some fall landscaping.
•    Now is a good time to construct a compost bin, if desired.
•    Irish potatoes can be dug up this month.