Extension for Real Life

August Landscape Checklist

August is typically a busy month for many people! The kids are back in school, and people are returning to their fall routines after summer. August is an important month in the landscape calendar because there’s a lot of prep work to be done to welcome fall’s arrival. Although it seems like a while off, especially knowing the glorious autumn weather isn’t showing up around here anytime soon, it’s important to carve out time to do some yard work.

Here are a few chores to check off the list in August:

1. If you want to have daylilies in your yard by spring, now is a great time to plant them! They’re easy to grow and add color to your landscape as the weather begins to warm up again. You can learn more about some of the other perennials that work grow well in Mississippi by checking out the flower gardens section of our website!  
2. Impatiens and vinca are two popular container garden annuals many people plant each year. They’re great low maintenance plants and offer an array of color to your yard! If you want to keep the plants blooming for a few more months, cut back the plants to encourage new growth. Pinch off faded blooms and cut back any “leggy” or crowded parts of the plant.
3. If you have rose bushes planted in your landscape, now is a good time to give them a good pruning! If you want to see blooms during fall months, it’s recommended to prune rose canes to 24 to 30 inches from the ground. Learn more on how to grow and care for roses by visiting the rose section of our website! 
4. You know fall is right around the corner when mums start appearing! Plant mums this month to ensure you have beautiful blooms by the time September rolls around. Feed them with a complete fertilizer every two weeks and water them thoroughly from the base of the plant. 
5. If you have Louisiana iris, lily, canna, liriope, ajuga, or Shasta daisies in your yard, you can start dividing and transplanting them! This isn’t a task that has a sense of urgency. You can work on this whenever you have time during the fall, winter, or early spring. Consider gifting a plant to a neighbor or friend!

Remember to keep your plants watered deeply, but infrequently during these hot months. Without adequate moisture, the summer sun can be damaging to the life of your plants. Speaking of water, remember to bring a bottle of water with you anytime you’re outdoors during summer months to stay properly hydrated. If you can, try to get outdoor chores wrapped up in the morning or evening to avoid extreme temps.