White Stargazer oriental lilies
Garden Chores for August
In This Issue
August Lawn Care - Ants Love Summer - In the Veggie Garden - It's Tomato Time - Winter Veggie Gardening
Improve Soils with Cover Crops - Plants Taking a Powder - When Plants Wilt - Watering Tips & Techniques
Summer Bugs - Beetlemania - Slugs & Snails - Critters & Bugs in the Garden
Pruning in August - Dead Flowers & Collecting Seeds - Epsom Salts & Tomatoes & Roses
Composting - Water for All - Pollinators & Hummingbirds
August Garden Stars - August Garden Chores - Amanda's Garden Channel
Plant of the Month: Yarrow
Improve Soils with Cover Crops - Plants Taking a Powder - When Plants Wilt - Watering Tips & Techniques
Summer Bugs - Beetlemania - Slugs & Snails - Critters & Bugs in the Garden
Pruning in August - Dead Flowers & Collecting Seeds - Epsom Salts & Tomatoes & Roses
Composting - Water for All - Pollinators & Hummingbirds
August Garden Stars - August Garden Chores - Amanda's Garden Channel
Plant of the Month: Yarrow
Fellow Gardeners..
It's dahlias time to shine.
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
It's August and the end of summer; notoriously the hottest and the driest time of the year in British Columbia. Arid conditions and heat are not appreciated by gardeners as many plants struggle to survive. Fortunately there’s no shortage of summer flowers and delicious crops that flourish in such conditions. In my opinion, the best part of summer is enjoying all the delicious fresh produce grown in my garden (especially the tomatoes) and from our local farmers. It’s makes summer worth waiting for. Dahlias are another late summer garden perk as they finally strut their stuff. Tuberous begonias, gladiolus, callas and other summer bulbs are hitting their stride this month, and rightfully so. They’ve got to get all their flowering in before it gets chilly, and once it does, they know it’s time to pack it in. It’s a shame summer isn’t a bit longer as it flies by so very quickly, but my knees and back seem to disagree. Enjoy your summer garden and everything it has to offer. Cheers, Amanda 
It's time to eat!
August Plant of the Month
Yarrow, a native perennial of many talents. Click on pic for more.
Wild yarrow plants have come a long way thanks to plant breeders. Their off white flowers have been replaced with vibrant reds, yellows, purples as well as pretty pastels in peach, pinks and salmon. Yarrow are perfect for dry, hot areas and pollinators love their flat blossoms.
To learn more click on Yarrow. Amanda's Garden Video
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Water Restrictions
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August Garden Stars
Gladiolus, summer bulb, 2’-6’, fragrant blooms August, Sept., sun. Zones 7 to 10, use as annual or store over winter.
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Bear's breeches, Acanthus mollis, herbaceous perennial, 3’-5’ x 2-3’, blooms June to July, sun to part shade, thorns, attractive foliage. Zones 7 to 10. Click on pic for more.
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Pampass grass, Cortaderia selloana, herbaceous perennial, ornamental grass, 8-10' x 4-6', leaves have sharp edges, sun, drought tolerant. Zones 8 to 10.
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Hillside Black Beauty bugbane, Actaea (Cimicifuga) simplex 'Hillside Black Beauty', part shade, shade, 4ft. flower spikes. Zones 4 to 8.
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Mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia, deciduous tree, 20-40' x 10- 20', white flower clusters, orange berries, birds, bees, sun. Zones 5 to 6. Click on pic for more.
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Bella Bellissima shrubby cinquefoil, Potentilla fruticosa, deciduous shrub, 3’-4’ x 4’-5’, sun, part shade. USDA Zones 3 to 8.
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Stargazer lily, Lilium orientale, hybrid oriental lily, summer bulb, sun, fragrant, 3 ft., 6” to 8” flowers. USDA Zones 3 to 9.
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Goldsturm black-eyed susan, Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm', herbaceous perennial, 2', sun, part shade, Zones 4 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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Purple shamrock, Oxalis triangularis papilionacea, perennial bulb, part shade to shade, 6"-12" x 12"-24", attracts butterflies. Zones 6 to 11.
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Pink Japanese anemone, Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’, herbaceous perennial, 4ft, sun, part shade. Zones 5 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Peachie Keen agastache, A. 'Peachie Keen', herbaceous perennial, 2’x2’, sun, light shade, hummingbirds, bees, butterflies. Zones 5 to 9.
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Purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, herbaceous perennial, 15” to 18” x 12” to 16”, sun, part shade, butterflies. Zones 4 to 8.
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Garden phlox, Phlox paniculata, herbaceous perennial, sun, part shade, 2’ to 4’. Zones 4 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Sneezeweed, Helenium autumnale, up to 30", sun, attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Zones 4-9. Click on the pic for more.
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Bee balm, Monarda didyma x fistulosa, herbaceous perennial, 2'-4' x 3', sun, light shade, hummingbirds, butterflies. Zones 4 to 9.
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Joe-Pye Weed, Eupatorium maculatum, herbaceous perennial, pollinator plant, 68”-72” x 26”, -30”, partial sun. USDA Zones 4 to 8.
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Pretty Petticoat hybrid bearded tongue, Penstemon ‘Pink Petticoat’, herbaceous perennial, 18-24” tall & wide. Sun, part shade. Zones 4 to 9.
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Persian silk tree/mimosa, Albizia julibrissin, deciduous tree, 16-52', fragrant, sun. Zones 6 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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‘Bobo’ hydrangea, deciduous shrub, 2-3’ x 3-4’, white flowers age to pink, part to full sun. Zones 3 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Leopard plant, Ligularia dentata, herbaceous perennial, 3-4’ x 2’3, part to full shade, moist soils, summer flowers. Zones 3 to 8.
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Rose of Sharon, Hibiscus syriacus, deciduous tree-like shrub growing to 12 ft, Zones 5-8. Best in full sun. Click on the pic for more.
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August Garden Chores
Please note that coloured, underlined text are linked to another page on this website or another website. Most of the pictures are also linked and will redirect you if you click on them.
My August garden includes lilies, phlox and dahlias.
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Tomatoes are ready to harvest this month.
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Daily Garden Visits Warranted: It’s summer so this is not the time to ignore the garden as plants are vulnerable to the lack of rain, intense heat and scorching sunshine. Then there’s weeds that are always taking liberties, plants that need to be staked, stakes that are no longer needed, crops that need to be harvested, as well as plants that are battling bugs and diseases. Meanwhile, on a lighter note, don’t forget to enjoy summer’s flowering plants such as lilies, roses and phlox.
August Lawn Care
Avoid leaving clumps of grass on the lawn.
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Keep the grass longer in the summer.
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Chafer beetle damage.
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Weeds thrive in dried out lawns.
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This 'scalped' lawn has been cut too short.
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Lawns: Lawns struggle through summer and with the current Metro Vancouver water restrictions, watering is allowed only one day a week. Make the most of that day and water for one full hour for each area. Lawns that are not watered become weedy and prone to grubs including chafer beetles, sod webworms and leatherjackets.
To have a healthier lawn and to prevent lawn grubs mow the lawn at 3” to 4” high. The taller grass encourages longer roots and the grub adults are unable to reach the soil to lay their eggs. Mow often so only 1/3rd of the grass blade at cut off at each mowing. Leave short clippings on the lawn as long as they don’t clump they are a good source of nitrogen and other nutrients.
Click on the following links for more info: Lawn Grub Control - Lawn Care Basics - Lawn Maintenance Schedule - Mossy Lawns - Lawn Reno Seed & Sod - Lawn Alternatives
To have a healthier lawn and to prevent lawn grubs mow the lawn at 3” to 4” high. The taller grass encourages longer roots and the grub adults are unable to reach the soil to lay their eggs. Mow often so only 1/3rd of the grass blade at cut off at each mowing. Leave short clippings on the lawn as long as they don’t clump they are a good source of nitrogen and other nutrients.
Click on the following links for more info: Lawn Grub Control - Lawn Care Basics - Lawn Maintenance Schedule - Mossy Lawns - Lawn Reno Seed & Sod - Lawn Alternatives
Ants Love Summer
Borax mixed with sugar kills ants in and out of the nest.
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Diatomaceous earth is an effective & non-toxic pesticide.
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An ant nest at the base of a rose bush.
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Ant Nests: The drier it is the more ants there are. You’ll find them along driveways, inbetween pavers, as well as the garden where the soil is dry. To kill ants mix 3 parts sugar or honey to one part borax. Sprinkle the powder or globs of the tainted honey around plants. The ants will carry the back to the colony for the larvae to eat. Reapply as needed. Or use equal amounts of sugar with baking soda. Other options include liquid ant baits and diatomaceous earth. Use numerous strategies at once to ensure control and water dry to deter ants.
Roses in August
Roses need TLC this month.
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Cut rose stems back to a 5 leaflet leaf.
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Cut rose canes just above a node or leaf.
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High phosphorous promotes flowers.
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Roses in August: To improve their appearance, cut off dead flower clusters just above an outward facing leaf that has 5 to 7 leaflets. This also applies when cutting roses for flower arrangements. For stems without foliage, cut canes back by ¼ to just above a node or side branch. For more on pruning roses click here.
After each flush of blooms water well then fertilize with kelp meal, seaweed extract or fish fertilizer to promote healthy growth and more blossoms. Follow up with giving them a nice long drink of water. Enrich the soil with an inch or two of compost mixed in around the roots. To promote more blossoms, apply a high phosphorous fertilizer (middle number highest ex: 6-8-6).
After each flush of blooms water well then fertilize with kelp meal, seaweed extract or fish fertilizer to promote healthy growth and more blossoms. Follow up with giving them a nice long drink of water. Enrich the soil with an inch or two of compost mixed in around the roots. To promote more blossoms, apply a high phosphorous fertilizer (middle number highest ex: 6-8-6).
In the Veggie Garden
Delicious garden delights!
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Wait for green peppers to turn colour like these cool black ones.
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Pick beans before they start to bulge with seeds.
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Vegetable Gardening: It’s harvest time! It’s preferable to gather crops in the morning after the dew has evaporated and plants are dry. Zucchinis are best when small, the same goes for beans, but wait for green peppers to ripen and turn colour. To learn more about picking at the peak of perfection and how to harvest click Harvesting.
Cure garlic by hanging in a dry location.
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Dig up onions when tops yellow & fall over.
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Rub soil off potatoes before curing.
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Onions, garlic, shallots: To encourage large bulbs, snip off their flowers as soon as they appear. When the leaves start to yellow, stop watering and harvest when their leaves brown and the plants have died back. Cure and then store in a dry location.
Potatoes: Stop watering when their stems yellow and wither. After two weeks, dig them up and rub off any soil. Don’t rinse them as it promotes rotting. Store in paper bags or boxes in a cool and dark frost free area so they don’t turn green. For ones that are already green, they are still edible but do peel off any green parts before cooking. Discard any that are diseased and eat ones that were damaged when they were harvested. For more click on Potatoes.
Potatoes: Stop watering when their stems yellow and wither. After two weeks, dig them up and rub off any soil. Don’t rinse them as it promotes rotting. Store in paper bags or boxes in a cool and dark frost free area so they don’t turn green. For ones that are already green, they are still edible but do peel off any green parts before cooking. Discard any that are diseased and eat ones that were damaged when they were harvested. For more click on Potatoes.
It's Tomato Time
Nothing compares to home grown tomatoes.
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Blossom end rot.
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Uneven watering leads to split tomatoes.
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Tomatoes usually succumb to blight at the end of the season.
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Homegrown Tomatoes: It’s August so they should be producing their delicious fruit and are hopefully healthy. If not, here are a few tips. A lack of flowers is a result of too much shade or too much nitrogen. Split fruit is caused by inconsistent watering. Blossom-end rot is from too little calcium and inadequate watering. Brown, withered, wilted and distorted lower leaves combined with unsightly blemished fruit is a blight. It’s a prevalent tomato disease this time of year. To speed up the ripening process and to tame unruly plants here are a few tips. Speeding up Tomato Harvest. For more information on growing and taking care of tomatoes check out the following links: Tomato Troubles - Taming Tomatoes - Tomato Tips - Saving Tomato Seeds
Start Your Winter Veggie Garden
Use starter plants for late season planting.
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Swiss chard is cold hardy.
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Winter grown kale tends to be sweeter and tastier.
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Winter Veggie Gardening: The easiest way to grow veggies in the fall and winter is to purchase starter plants at garden centres. To start plants from seed make sure you read the seed packets for suitable candidates and for sowing instructions. Winter hardy crops include arugula, beets, lettuce, endive, pac and boc choi, radicchio, radish, scallions and spinach. For more click on Winter Veggie Gardening.
Improve Soil with Cover Crops
Crimson clover adds nitrogen, fibre & organic matter.
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Winter peas adds nitrogen to soil and edible peas.
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Dig in cover crops in spring for a 'green manure'.
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To improve the soil in veggie gardens, plant a cover crop such as crimson clover, fall rye and winter peas, once crops are harvested. Cover crops grow throughout autumn through to spring, then they cut back and dug into the soil. This builds soil, adds nutrients and organic matter. For more information click on Cover Crops.
Plants Taking a Powder
An infected tomato plant.
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An infected tuberous begonia.
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An infected phlox.
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An infected zucchini leaf.
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Powdery Mildew: This disease appears as a white talcum powder-like substance on garden phlox, cucumbers, squash, maple trees and many other plants. Before spraying with baking soda or a milk solution, remove severely damaged foliage. To reduce infection, keep water off foliage, and don’t allow the soil to dry out.
When Plants Wilt
Wilted rhubarb suffers from heat stress in this metal planter.
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Too much sun has burned this hosta.
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A drought stricken lilac needs a good soaking.
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Shade suffering plants from hot afternoon sun.
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Wilted Plants: There are two reasons why plants wilt in the summer: too little water and too much heat. Don’t be surprised when plants sag and wilt when temperatures pass 29° C (84.2°F) even if the soil is damp. They are just too hot so cool them down with a drink and provide temporary shade if necessary. For more on watering wisely click on Watering Tips & Techniques.
Moving Plants to Shade: Although you might want to move plants suffering from heat stroke to a shadier, cooler location to replace them with more heat loving candidates, it is best to wait until fall. In the meantime, protect wilting and burned plants with a temporary shade such as an umbrella, a tablecloth on a trellis, a propped up piece of cardboard etc. For a more permanent solution consider installing a pergola, arbour, or plant a tall plant on the south or west side of vulnerable plants in the autumn.
Moving Plants to Shade: Although you might want to move plants suffering from heat stroke to a shadier, cooler location to replace them with more heat loving candidates, it is best to wait until fall. In the meantime, protect wilting and burned plants with a temporary shade such as an umbrella, a tablecloth on a trellis, a propped up piece of cardboard etc. For a more permanent solution consider installing a pergola, arbour, or plant a tall plant on the south or west side of vulnerable plants in the autumn.
Watering Tips & Techniques
Rock mulch doesn't retain soil moisture and is weedy.
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Organic mulch is available at garden centres.
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Before being mulched.
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Weeded, watered & mulched.
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Attach timers to faucets and hoses to make watering easier.
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Reduce The Need to Water: Place a 3 inch layer of mulch to prevent evaporation and to hold in soil moisture. It really does work and there will be fewer weeds! Before placing the mulch down, weed and water, especially if it is dry.
Use timers: To make watering easier and to follow local water restrictions, fasten a garden hose with a sprinkler attached to a timer. Garden timers are easy to set up and are often available where sprinklers are sold. Set the timer so the sprinklers have a run time of at least 45 minutes for each zone, two to three times per week.
Use timers: To make watering easier and to follow local water restrictions, fasten a garden hose with a sprinkler attached to a timer. Garden timers are easy to set up and are often available where sprinklers are sold. Set the timer so the sprinklers have a run time of at least 45 minutes for each zone, two to three times per week.
Allow water to puddle for a deep soak.
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Check how far the water has gone.
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Hand watering is efficient and effective.
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Don't rely on drip systems in summer.
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Use spray heads on drip systems.
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Deep Long Soaks: A little bit of water does not go a long way. Inadequate water leads to shallow roots that dry out easily, which quickly succumb to heat and drought. When hand watering, allow the water to puddle a number of time before going to the next plant. Since dry soil sucks away any available moisture, water the entire area in between the plants. This also keeps the ground wetter longer.
Soaker Hoses & Drip Systems: It’s hot and dry so don’t rely solely on soaker hoses and drip irrigation to keep soil and roots moist. These systems generally take up 90 minutes to emit just an inch of water. Dig down to see how far and how deep the water has spread. If it isn’t going down to the roots, then hand-water or put on the sprinkler, then check the soil again.
Soaker Hoses & Drip Systems: It’s hot and dry so don’t rely solely on soaker hoses and drip irrigation to keep soil and roots moist. These systems generally take up 90 minutes to emit just an inch of water. Dig down to see how far and how deep the water has spread. If it isn’t going down to the roots, then hand-water or put on the sprinkler, then check the soil again.
Avoid watering at the end of the day.
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To prevent diseases, plants should be dry by nightfall.
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Keep plants well watered when flowering.
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Don't let fruiting plants dry out.
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Time of Day: It’s best to water in the morning as plants are active during the day, but they are ‘resting’ in the evening. Consider it their breakfast as it gives them energy to suffer the slings and arrows of the day’s environmental conditions. Watering in the evening also encourages diseases, plus slugs and snails love to feast on the wet foliage at night.
Watering Flowering & Fruiting Plants: It takes lots of energy for plants to flower and produce fruit. If they don’t receive adequate water when ‘pregnant’, blossoming and fruit production will be negatively affected.
Watering Flowering & Fruiting Plants: It takes lots of energy for plants to flower and produce fruit. If they don’t receive adequate water when ‘pregnant’, blossoming and fruit production will be negatively affected.
A droopy katsura tree needs water.
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Backward leaves are a sign of drought stress.
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Brown leaves on this cedar are from drought stress.
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Don't forget to water city trees.
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Apply water along a plant's dripline, not against the stems.
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Water Trees, Shrubs & Hedges: They are often ignored and suffer in silence as their resources are stretched to the limit. Brown, crispy leaves, especially at their edges (margins), ones that curl inwards, droop or show their backsides are signs of drought distress. If woody plants do not receive supplemental water during the summer year after year, they will eventually decline and die.
It's important that camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas don't dry out such as they set their flower buds now. Keep them happy and healthy by watering deeply. To make sure you have given an adequate amount, dig down to see how far the water has penetrated. Don’t neglect street trees planted by the city around your property as they need water too.
Saving water: Use unsalted water from boiling veggies, pasta, rice and eggs as it contains beneficial plant nutrients. Direct rainwater from the gutters to downspouts into rain barrels. Note that most municipalities offer rain barrels to the public. Collect ‘grey water’ in a bucket when you shower, bail the water after a bath, recycle dirty dishwater by placing a wash basin in the sink. To learn more, click on Drought Gardening.
It's important that camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas don't dry out such as they set their flower buds now. Keep them happy and healthy by watering deeply. To make sure you have given an adequate amount, dig down to see how far the water has penetrated. Don’t neglect street trees planted by the city around your property as they need water too.
Saving water: Use unsalted water from boiling veggies, pasta, rice and eggs as it contains beneficial plant nutrients. Direct rainwater from the gutters to downspouts into rain barrels. Note that most municipalities offer rain barrels to the public. Collect ‘grey water’ in a bucket when you shower, bail the water after a bath, recycle dirty dishwater by placing a wash basin in the sink. To learn more, click on Drought Gardening.
Getting Buggy With It
Cabbage white caterpillar droppings on a cauliflower.
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Caterpillar droppings & damage on a lily.
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Thuricide only kills caterpillars.
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Don't use Thuricide near butterfly gardens.
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Summer Bugs: Gardens host a variety of predators during the summer as plants weaken from the heat and dryness. Ants, aphids, caterpillars, leaf miners are common as well as slugs and snails. To kill ants To control caterpillars use an Eco-friendly bactericide, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt, Thuricide). It only affects caterpillars so avoid using near butterfly gardens. Stink bugs become a problem when the weather is hot and dry. Wear rubber globes to plop them in a tin of soapy water or just squish them. They don’t bite, nor sting but they do ‘stink’ when touched or squished.
Beetlemania
Japanese beetle damage on a bean leaf. Click on pic for more.
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Stink bug on a black-eyed susan. Click on pic for more.
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Stink bugs have turned this pepper inedible.
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Grow tansy next potatoes and other vulnerable crops.
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Beetles are Here: There are many beetles that turn foliage into lace as they eat the tissue between the veins. They do their worst when it is hot and dry and plants are stressed. Reduce their stress by providing them with adequate water. Handpick beetles and place in a cup of soapy, salted water and/or neem oil or pyrethrin. To deter them plant onions, garlic, rue, tansy, parsley, thyme and other fragrant herbs. Rotate crops next year to further deter infestation. For more info click on Japanese beetles or Ten-lined June beetles.
Mollusks in the Garden
Slugs or snails have damaged these gladiolus leaves.
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Slugs love hostas!
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A snail decides on a salad for dinner.
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Copper is a non toxic solution for mollusks.
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Slugs and snails are on the move, albeit slowly and slimily. They come out at night when it's cool and dark. If you don't know what is eating your plants, sneak up on them at night. Arm yourself with a flashlight and a container with salty water & some dish soap. Mollusks are probably the culprits, however, you might find some other naughty bugs out there. If you are squeamish, there are many other ways to control slugs from baits to deterrents, for more click here.
Critters & Birds in the Garden
There are ways to deter deer in the garden.
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A cloche protect plants from animals as well as insects.
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Protect fruit from birds & critters with foil tape.
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Furry Faces: Deer, raccoons, kitties, are a few of the critters that play havoc in the garden. When there's a lack of food in their world, they come into ours and dine out in our gardens. Deer are known to nibble away at any plant, even ones they don't like if they are starving. Cats, on the other hand, don't eat plants, but they do use gardens as their personal toilets. It's so unappetizing when they do their business in the veggie garden. How rude!
To prevent cats and other critters from digging, place a few inches of straw, fallen leaves, newspapers, or bagged wood chip mulch on top of the soil. To prevent birds from chowing down on fruit and other edibles, place shiny reflective tape on trees, and Whirligigs around the garden. Another option is to cover the crops with floating row covers or a cloches. For more click on Critters in the Garden.
To prevent cats and other critters from digging, place a few inches of straw, fallen leaves, newspapers, or bagged wood chip mulch on top of the soil. To prevent birds from chowing down on fruit and other edibles, place shiny reflective tape on trees, and Whirligigs around the garden. Another option is to cover the crops with floating row covers or a cloches. For more click on Critters in the Garden.
Pruning in August
Prune wisterias in summer.
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Thin fruit so they don't touch.
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Cut off all suckers at their base.
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Prune hedges this month.
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Cutting Back: Avoid cutting back trees and shrubs on really hot days and when they are suffering from drought conditions. They will have a difficult time recovering in their weakened state. When pruning any plant, give them a good long drink, to help them recuperate; it is surgery after all. At this time of year be careful what you prune as spring flowering plants, such as forsythias as they have already set their flower buds. Now is a good time to prune wisterias, grape vines and fruit trees. Remove suckers, watersprouts, spindly stems and anything that’s dead, diseased and broken. Here’s more on Pruning. To make pruning easier, use the correct Pruning Tools for the job. For personalized pruning instruction in your garden click on Pruning Registration. Available in Metro Vancouver.
Pruning Hedges & Conifers: This month is the last month to trim hedges including cedar (arborvitae), boxwood and other hedges. This gives the subsequent new foliage time to harden up before cold temperature arrives.
Pruning Hedges & Conifers: This month is the last month to trim hedges including cedar (arborvitae), boxwood and other hedges. This gives the subsequent new foliage time to harden up before cold temperature arrives.
Dead Flowers & Seeds
Deadhead dahlias to keep them blooming.
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Remove dead flowers from shrubs.
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Only remove 1/4 of growth.
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A flowering lettuce plant.
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Home-grown lettuce seeds.
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Store seeds in envelopes.
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Remove dead flowers: Cut off dead flowers from shrubs, perennials, annuals and summer bulbs. Don't deadhead lavenders as the birds love their seeds.
Collect Seeds: Avoid collecting seeds, seed pods and capsules when they are still green as they are not mature and will not germinate. Pick them when dry and brown and store them in paper envelopes in a frost-free, dry place. Label with collection date & name. For more click on Collecting Seeds. Suitable plants to collect seeds from include hollyhocks, sunflowers, marigolds, sweet peas, peas and beans.
Collect Seeds: Avoid collecting seeds, seed pods and capsules when they are still green as they are not mature and will not germinate. Pick them when dry and brown and store them in paper envelopes in a frost-free, dry place. Label with collection date & name. For more click on Collecting Seeds. Suitable plants to collect seeds from include hollyhocks, sunflowers, marigolds, sweet peas, peas and beans.
A Weedy Subject
I grow great weeds!
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Dislodge seedlings before they take hold.
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Horticultural grade vinegar is an effective eco-friendly herbicide.
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Weeding: No matter what the weather or climate, unwanted plants will grow wherever they please. Make it easier to pull them out of the ground by wetting the soil first. To prevent them from spreading their seeds, pull them up before they flower and set seed. To further reduce their spread, don’t put seedy weeds in the compost. To control weeds with a herbicide, use organic types such as fatty acids, horticultural grade vinegar etc. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to the spray bottle to help it adhere. Reapply at least every 7 days. Protect surrounding plants with cardboard and follow the instructions to the letter. Avoid Weed Block fabric as it does not deter weeds as they just grow on top of it and it impairs soil and plant health. For difficult to eradicate weeds such as bindweed and horsetails click here.
Epsom Salts & Composting
Epsom salts benefit roses & tomatoes.
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Don't compost seedy plants like these wild violets.
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Always top the compost pile with a carbon layer.
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Epsom Salt on Tomatoes & Roses: Epsom salt assists with the absorption of nutrients, intensifies foliage and flower colours whilst speeding up the ripening of tomatoes. It contains magnesium sulphate, a micronutrient that plants need in small amounts. Use as a foliar spray or as a soil drench. Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts in one gallon of water. Don’t spray plants in full sun as it will damage the foliage.
Composting: Add veggies scraps, non-weedy and seedy plants to the compost. Cover with a brown layer (torn newspapers, dried leaves, soil) to deter critters. Avoid adding cooked food, rice, bread, meat, fat and other animal products to prevent bad odours and rodents. To learn more about composting and trouble shooting click on Composting.
Composting: Add veggies scraps, non-weedy and seedy plants to the compost. Cover with a brown layer (torn newspapers, dried leaves, soil) to deter critters. Avoid adding cooked food, rice, bread, meat, fat and other animal products to prevent bad odours and rodents. To learn more about composting and trouble shooting click on Composting.
Water For All
Birdbaths not only attract birds, they are a nice garden feature.
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Water invites beneficial insects into the garden.
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Shallow dishes of water are a lifesaver for many.
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Don't neglect ponds & other water features in your garden.
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Let's Have a Drink: The lack of rain during the heat of the summer affects all living things, not just plants. It's a difficult time for birds, butterflies, bees, dragonflies and all kinds of wildlife, especially ones with babies to provide for. Help them get through the summer by placing shallow dishes of water in the garden. Add some flat rocks, pebbles and sand for them to rest on. Birdbaths not only provide a place for birds to cool down and have a drink, they provide an attractive garden feature.
Ponds & Water Features: To keep the water clean, thin out plant growth and remove any leaf litter, algae and other organic debris. Replenish water that has evaporated in ponds and water gardens.
Ponds & Water Features: To keep the water clean, thin out plant growth and remove any leaf litter, algae and other organic debris. Replenish water that has evaporated in ponds and water gardens.
Pollinators & Hummers
Bees love leek flowers.
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Borage flowers are ideal for pollinators.
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Pieces of ripe fruit attracts butterflies.
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Kale flowers are loved by many pollinators.
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Hummingbird devour nectar on hot days.
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Flowers for Pollinators: Bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects prefer simple flowers where they can easily access nectar and pollen. It just so happens that many vegetable plants fit the bill perfectly – if you allow them to flower. These include lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, chard, dill, kale and fennel. For more ways to help pollinators click here.
Keep Hummingbirds Humming: Keep feeders filled with a fresh and continuous supply of fresh nectar. Clean feeders before refilling by soaking them for 30 minutes in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts hot water, or 1 part bleach to 9 parts hot water. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before refilling them with nectar. Use ¼ cup white sugar to 1 cup boiled water. Only use white sugar and allow it to cool before adding to the feeder.
Keep Hummingbirds Humming: Keep feeders filled with a fresh and continuous supply of fresh nectar. Clean feeders before refilling by soaking them for 30 minutes in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts hot water, or 1 part bleach to 9 parts hot water. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before refilling them with nectar. Use ¼ cup white sugar to 1 cup boiled water. Only use white sugar and allow it to cool before adding to the feeder.
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THE GARDEN WEBSITE INDEX
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for the tropical Gardener
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, it became apparent that there was a need for a book on tropical shrubs. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from, so I wrote a reference book to make the selections easier. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes pictures in full colour and information about the plants in point form. So if you live in the tropics and subtropics and need a reference book on tropical shrubs, or you just want to have a look-see click here.
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