August Gardening Tasks in the Piedmont NC 
​Great drifts of flowers produce a nectar treasure in the heat of summer for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Many native plants are on view at the Mecklenburg Extension office at
 1418 Armory Dr, Charlotte, NC 28204
in the front gardens.  
See what will grow well in your yard. 

Perennials, Annuals & Bulbs
  • Plant fall crocuses now and crown imperials from now until October.
  • Add several inches of mulch to Asiatic lilies; this will keep the roots cool, protect them from heat and deter weed growth.
  • Lay the finished flower stalks of foxglove on the ground where you want new plants to grow or sprinkle the seeds from the dried pods.
  • Continue to keep the soil around your Shasta daisies and ferns moist but not wet; ferns may become dormant if they get too dry.
  • Renew annuals by pinching leggy growth and deadheading. Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion to encourage blooms through the Fall.
  • Continue to prune perennials to keep in a desired space and for air circulation.
  • Pick fresh flowers for indoors; this will also encourage more blooms on most perennials.
  • Sow seeds for next summer bloom (Hollyhocks, Poppies, Larkspurs, Shasta Daisies, Columbine, Purple Coneflower, Cardinal Flower)

Trees, Shrubs & Groundcovers
  • Keep the grass short around your fruit trees; grass deprives the trees of nitrogen.
  • No fertilizing necessary this month.
  • Trees and shrubs should not be pruned after August 15th.

Vegetables, Herbs & Fruits
  • Gather herbs for drying as they mature; pinch the stems of basil regularly to prevent flowering, and harvest about once a week. 
  • Harvest sweet corn by pulling and twisting downwards.
  • Bend over the tops of your cooking onions to prepare for lifting them.
  • Harvest peas and broad beans before pods get tough.
  • Harvest cucumbers as they mature. 
  • Start seed for fall and winter vegetables now.
  • Remove suckers and old canes from blackberries and raspberries as they appear; harvest berries when they fall off easily.
  • Water blueberries, gooseberries and currents often during hot weather.
  • Remove all but two runners on strawberry plants. Strawberries will benefit from a feeding of nitrogen at this time. 

Lawn & Landscaping 
  • Cut your lawn and trim the edges regularly.
  • Watch out for yellow patches, leaf curl or poor growth; increase watering if you notice these signs.

Watering Tips
  • Continue to water outdoor container plants daily, as needed; make sure you have provided adequate drainage.
  • Water according to the weather; water in early morning to prevent mildew.
  • Don't forget to moisten your compost regularly to prevent flies from breeding in it.
  • Deep watering is essential this month if drought conditions exist.

Summer Season Flowers
Find more on summer season flower growing in these featured articles  
​Beat the Heat with Cool Crinum
​Select Drought Tolerant Perennials for your Yard
Tough Plants for Tough Times
​Native Plants for All Seasons

Plants for Hummingbirds
'Plants Hummingbirds Love' find out about gardening to attract hummingbirds to your yard at the Reedy Creek Hummingbird Festival, August 19, 2017.
Add to your garden with a favorite new plant to purchase at the EMGV  POLLINATOR PLANT SALE.     

Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are drawn by instinct to the color red, but they are more attracted by the shape of the flower—blooms with a long, tubular trumpet.  This bloom shape cannot be utilized effectively by bees or wasps, offering nectar heaven just for hummingbirds! 
Read more....Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden
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Got GARDEN questions? Get answers! 
The more you know, the more you can grow. 
growing & gardening in the Southeast 
 Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers 
mastergardenersmecklenburg.org