It is the end of a hot, hot August and many of us have the “garden doldrums”— too hot to be enthused about getting out into the garden. But here are some quick jobs that can be tended to before heading back into the cool indoors.
• Deep-water ornamental and fruit trees, landscape shrubs weekly. Specimens that are not been supplied with sufficient water this summer will be weakened as they go into the winter months. Weak specimens may not survive freezing temperatures and may fail to leaf out next spring.
• Clean up fallen leaves. Trees have really suffered with this summer’s extreme temperatures causing leaves to drop off many deciduous trees and shrubs and needles to drop from coniferous trees. Trees enter an induced dormancy as leaf and needle drop reduces transpiring surfaces. Clean leaves can be saved for compost and incorporated into the garden when decomposed.
• Clean gutters of fallen leaves and debris.
• Prune roses. Extreme temperatures may last a few more weeks but there is the promise of a return to moderating temperatures at which time roses will once again bloom. Remove dead and diseased canes. Canes of climbing roses should be thinned and remaining canes tied to supports. Cut back side shoots for increased flower production next spring.
• Save seed from spent blooms of annuals, which supply seed for next season. When cutting back annuals save seed for replanting next spring.
• Cut back perennials. Some of the perennials that need cutting back are Rudbeckia, coneflower, lavender, sage, yarrow, artemisia, Hostas, mint. Many perennials are at the maturation stage where spindly growth has replaced earlier lush and vibrant growth. Cutting back rank growth tidies the garden.
• Trim dying leaf tips of irises and red hot pokers.
• Order spring bulbs. Tulips, daffodils, Crocus, Alliums, Galanthums, Hyacinths can be ordered now while the selections are still good. Bulbs arriving early can be saved until October when they are set into the landscape.
• Clean and store disused trellises and frames for next season.
• Remove dead or dying plants that did not survive the summer. Discard or incorporate into the compost pile.
• Weed, weed, weed.
• Divide succulents like that Aloe vera that has been growing all summer sprouting multiple pups. Tease pups from the base of the mother and share with friends.
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening for several Texas newspapers.
