Gardening Tasks for August

Video by Michaela Parker

Whew. It’s hot outside! Just a trip to the mailbox makes me break into a sweat. As you’re outside working in your lawn and garden, remember to stay hydrated and come inside if you start feeling overheated Here are four tasks to complete in your yard for the month of August: 

1. If you have rose bushes at your home, it’s recommended to start pruning now for fall growth. Cut back rose canes to 24-30 inches from the ground. The rose section of our website has an abundance of information on growing, maintaining, and pruning roses. 
2. A fresh-cut lawn is a happy lawn! Continue to mow weekly if rain is occurring. Remember to leave the clippings on the lawn to provide nutrients to your turf! Extension Publication 1322, “Establish and Manage Your Home Lawn” explains everything you’ll need to know to make your lawn the best looking in the neighborhood. 
3. The scorching summer sun can damage your plants and turf if not watered enough. Keep your plants hydrated during hot summer days by watering turf and ornamentals to a depth of one inch if there’s no rain in the forecast. 
4. Treat any plants showing signs of chlorosis with chelated iron. Be on the lookout for leaves on a tree or shrub that have turned yellow, except for the veins. This is a common sign of chlorosis, a disorder caused by the lack of certain micronutrients. It’s recommended to treat plants with chelated iron, which is an iron supplement that has been treated to make the nutrients more easily absorbed by the plant. Contact your local Extension agent for additional information and advice. Our friends at University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension have a great resource on treating chlorosis. 

Happy gardening!