August Gardening in Middle Tennessee

We don't need to tell you it's hot outside! Here are some tips to help your garden as we begin to slowly transition to fall over the next several weeks.

Annuals: Many spring/summer annuals may look droopy in late summer. Remove any annuals that are "spent", meaning they are diseased or dying. It will clean up your garden visually. If your annuals need to be pruned, remove any dead blooms weekly and remove damaged foliage. Cut back Petunias that aren't blooming well- they will begin to bloom again in a couple of weeks.

Mulch: Think about whether you need to add more mulch this fall. If it's been a year or more, we'd suggest a fresh layer. It will keep plants cool in hot weather as it holds in moisture (great for fall when we are typically dry!), and keeps plants warmer in winter.

Vegetables: In late summer, we can often be dry. Continue to deeply water vegetables that are bearing fruit and veggies. Often, many warm-weather vegetables can produce until mid-fall.

Perennials: August is a great time to look at your garden and see what performed well this summer and what perhaps wasn't your favorite. You can also look to see where you might want additional perennials this fall or next spring. Remember that many perennials spread over the years and grow bigger. Continue to pinch or cut off spent flowers from all perennials. This will help encourage them to push out another flush of blooms. Also, remove dead or yellowing leaves. Many perennials can flower until mid-fall; by doing these simple tasks, you're encouraging them to continue to look their best as long as possible.

Ornamental Grasses: Ornamental grasses are beginning to really shine this month! These plants are more drought-tolerant than other plants. Enjoy their graceful plumes and upright or cascading form in your garden- they look their best from now until late fall.

Shrubs and Trees: You've spent time in your yard during spring and summer. Do you need additional privacy from a neighbor? Plan out where you might need to strategically plant trees or shrubs this fall. This month and through fall, remember to deeply water every 3-4 days (when we are not having rainfall) any newly planted shrubs and trees. Hydrangeas, in particular, need quite a bit of water. Evergreen shrubs and trees will not show they're struggling until they are very thirsty. We've had a lot of rain this year so far, but keep an eye out this fall when we are usually at our driest.