August Garden Care

August means scorching days and extended heat waves for the Midwest. Make sure your garden survives the final dog days of summer while preparing for the approaching fall weather with these tips.

• Keep your plants adequately watered – Protect your investment in your plants by paying extra attention to their hydration during these especially hot days.
• Harvest vegetables and berries regularly – Frequent harvesting can result in higher quality and better-tasting vegetables. It will also encourage a larger yield, so you can really get the most out of your garden’s final months.
• Avoid pruning shrubs – Avoid pruning after mid-August. If you prune too late in the season, you’ll be inviting new growth that will fail to harden off in time for cold weather and may become damaged.
• Continue to mulch – Keep mulching to cut down on water bills and keep weeds at bay.
• Prepare your annuals – Any discount annuals you bought this summer should have returned to health by now. Keep them watered and bug-free so they’re in tip-top shape for fall planting.

These tips will help you get the most out of your garden during the year’s final warm days. And as summer comes to a close, stop by your local Joe’s Market Basket for all of your fall gardening needs.