Gardening Almanac for the Plateau

August

This information has been created by the Cumberland County Master Gardeners Association, Crossville TN

Weather – Average Rainfall and Temperatures.

The average rainfall for August is 3.66 inches.  The average maximum temperature is 75 degrees F., and the minimum is 52 degrees F.

 Activities:

  1. Fall vegetable transplants, such as cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage, should be set out by August 5th and should be kept well watered if there’s not enough rainfall. 
  2. Keep attacking crabgrass and other weeds.  Remember to follow the label directions on your herbicide.
  3. You can still purchase “on sale” perennials and plant them in your garden, remembering to water them well until they’re established.
  4. Azaleas, rhododendrens, mountain laurel and other acid-loving plants need to be fertilized before the end of August, using an acid-based soluble fertilizer containing iron.   Also, keep fertilizing mums until the buds show color.
  5. Continue to spray monthly against sap-feeding lacebugs, especially spraying the undersides of the leaves with Orthene, insecticidal soap or a Summer oil.
  6. Tall fescue and Bermuda lawns should be fertilized in mid August using a high nitrogen fertilizer of a 5-1-1 ratio.  If the lawn needs extensive renovation, wait a few more weeks. 
  7. Perennial sweet autumn clematis blooms from late August until frost and would give the yard additional color.  This vine grows on a trellis, or covers a large ground area in full sun. 
  8. Now is a good time to order your spring-flowering bulbs, which you will plant in October or November. 
  9. Pruning trees and shrubs now could be harmful to the plants, since new growth might be stimulated and can’t harden off before cold weather.  Delay this pruning until early next spring.
  10. Fertilize roses to encourage new growth and hardening off before frost.
  11. Make the second application of fertilizer on new plantings of June-bearing strawberries.  Apply 3 pounds of 10-10-10 per 100 feet of row.
  12. After the last raspberry harvest, prune old flowering canes, leaving only 3 to 4 young canes per foot of row.  In spring, prune back shoot tips.
  13. Keep the hummingbird feeders full.  Also, change the bird bath water regularly and keep it clean and filled.
  14. If August is hot and dry, remember to water everything, including the compost pile.

Wildlife:

Crossville area bird sightings during August include: 

Red bellied woodpecker, Red headed woodpecker, Hairy woodpecker, Downy woodpecker, Pileated woodpecker, Muscovy duck, Lesser scaup, Canada goose, American goldfinch, Carolina wren, Tufted titmouse, White breasted nuthatch, Mourning dove, Carolina chickadee, Eastern bluebird, American crow, Northern cardinal, American robin, Great horned owl, Eastern screech owl, Great blue heron, Little blue heron, Tree swallow, Ruby throat hummingbird, Wood thrush, Kingfisher, Whip-poor-will, Bald eagle, Wild turkey, Yellow throated warbler, Wild turkey, Purple finch and Kildeer.

 Flowers:

You may see in August include: 

Morning glories, Wild morning glories, False sunflower (Asteraceae), Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, Ironwood, Butterfly weed, Tomato, Squash, Cucumber, Bell peppers, Beans, Impatiens, Petunias, Wax begonias, Tuberous begonias, Salvia, Nicotiana, Butterfly bush, Wild aster, Beggar ticks (Stick tights) and Joe Pye weed.   Butterflies you may see include: Monarch, eastern tiger swallow tail and greater fritillaries.

This information has been created by the Cumberland County Master Gardeners Association, Crossville TN

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