August is by and large a month to glean , not plant , crops although it ’s not too later to put in one last harvest of shekels , as well as spinach , chard , and kale for fall picking . It ’s also a good time to imbed perennial in pots to tally late - season gloss to the garden . mark off with your local garden storage or perennial nursery to see what ’s in flower .
Or claver some of Vermont ’s repeated video display gardens for ideas for plant that will blossom in August and into the fall . you may pick up a free brochure number many of these garden at many local bedroom of Commerce Department . Or order the brochure from the Vermont Department of Agriculture , Food and Markets ’ Website at http://www.state.vt.us/agric/brochures.htm . get across on “ Vermont Perennial & Herb Display Gardens Open to the Public , ” then take out the on-line variety .
Once your pea and other early garden crops have stop production , remove them from the garden . Getting these plants out of your way make it easier for you to care for remaining vegetables and reduces the chance for diseases to get go on age foliage . It also opens up space for planting after - producing craw or cover up crop that need an early start if they are to put on pregnant growth before frost , such as oats .
If you ’ve been trying to grow “ the great pumpkin ” for an end - of - the - summertime fair or Halloween , early August is the clock time to do some pruning and fertilizing . start out by taking off all but one or two pumpkins from the vine . Pinch the ends off the vines to encourage the development of the yield already set on the vines .
go for liberal total ofcomposted cow manureor a diluted plant fertilizer around the base of the works . Keep the area innocent from pot to prevent competitor for nutrients and moisture . mulch with straw or leaves can help . You also may want to spray the leaf with an appropriate antifungal to foreclose mold from reducing the vigor of the plant life .
Raccoons can be a problem in sweet corn . They seem to recognise , even before you do when the corn is quick to pick . The only surefire way to keep them out is to use an galvanic fence .
The first fibril should be six in above ground degree , the 2d about 16 inches eminent . Just make certain no weeds or grass affect the wire fence as it will short-change out the armorial bearing and grant the raccoons to get into the corn .
In previous August repair problem domain in your lawn . Many brown spots are not the event of summer quiescency due to drouth but rather injury triggered by white grub . Talk to the expert at your localgarden centerfor advice on right treatment . This is also the time to reseed sternly injured areas , keep new seed lawns moist and mulched .
After all this study , you ’re probably ready for a day off . Why not design a trip to Montreal where you may visit both the Montreal Botanic Gardens and Mosaiculture International Montreal 2001 , a sensational display of flowered mosaic settle in the Old Port district , next to Old Montreal . Floral mosaics are two- and three - dimensional prowess and sculpture made of living plants .
Many countries are exemplify this year with fantabulous description in both Gallic and English by each of the exhibits to explicate what is portrayed and the divine guidance behind the display . Two - dimensional designs are often visualize in formal garden , specially in Europe , but 3 - 500 carving are uncommon .
Other activity for August : on a handle donate surplus vegetables to your local food shelter ; remove blackberry and raspberry cane that have fruited ; chaffer a pick - your - own blueberry farm .
VISITING PERENNIAL GARDENS AND OTHER AUGUST GARDENING TIPS
By Dr. Leonard Perry and Lisa Halvorsen nExtension Nursery and Greenhouse Crops SpecialistUniversity of Vermont
