Last week after trying to give advice to everyone in their different zones I thought it would be neat to share some August garden tips from the various university extension offices:

The Purdue University Extension Office suggests: Check trees and shrubs that have been planted in recent years for girdling damage by wires, burlap or ropes. Don't fertilize woody plants now. It will stimulate late growth that will not have time to harden off properly before winter. Hand-prune and destroy bagworms, fall webworms and tent caterpillars.

From the Georgia Department of Agriculture: Now is a good time to have your soil tested. If the results indicate lime is needed, keep in mind that it takes approximately five months for it to be effective. Till the lime into the garden soil after you complete your summer vegetable harvest. Then by spring the soil will be ready for planting.

University of California, Napa County Master Gardeners share this: Deadhead roses and flowering annuals to encourage continual blooming. Fertilize your azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias for the last time this year. If your bearded iris blooms were sparse this year or the plants are more than four years old, now is the time to divide and replant them.

University of Florida, Dept. of Environmental Horticulture: Common ornamentals like oleander, hydrangeas and azaleas can be propagated by cuttings this time of year. For azaleas, take tip cuttings 3 to 5 inches long with several leaves left attached. Many rooting mediums can be used such as sand or a mixture of peat and perlite. Place cuttings in the media and keep moist by covering them with a plastic bag or use a mist system. A rooting hormone may hasten root growth. If you have any cold sensitive ornamentals, try rooting cuttings before winter and keep the young plants in a protected spot this winter. Then, if the ornamental freezes, you'll have replacements for the spring.

Oregon State University Extension Service advises that: Camellias need deep watering to develop flower buds for next spring. Prune raspberries, boysenberries, and other caneberries after harvest. Plant winter cover crops in vacant space around the vegetable garden; plant winter kale, Brussels sprouts, turnips, parsnips, parsley, and Chinese cabbage.

And finally the Missouri Department of Agriculture says: Divide oriental poppies. Roses should receive no further nitrogen fertilizer after August 15th. Evergreens can be planted/transplanted now to ensure good rooting before winter arrives. Water both the plant and the planting site several days before moving.

MORE: Tips on growing and caring for peonies.
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/peonies.html
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