August is the time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor - fresh tomatoes and basil, perhaps, or a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or a lovely shady place to read a good book. If you feel the urge to garden, try to do most of your gardening in the cooler hours of the morning or early evening - it's better for you and your plants.

LAWN CARE

Mid-August starts the fall grass reseeding season. August 15 to September 15 is the best time to seed lawns in the Washington area, so take a look at your lawn now and plan ahead.

• If your lawn is weedy and you plan to reseed, apply broadleaf weed killers now. . If your lawn is more than 60% weeds, it's easier to kill the entire area with a non- selective weedkiller like the Natura Weed -A-Tak Organic Weed Killer. You can then seed about a week later.
  
  
• Check the pH of your soil. PH measures soil acidity, which can affect plants' ability to take nutrients from the soil. If you bring us a soil sample in a one pound can or quart-size jar, we'll test it for you and make recommendations about whether you need to add lime to the soil. (If you haven't applied lime in the past three years, you can assume your soil needs lime.)
  
  
• Choose the right seed blend. Our high quality blends of APF Act II, APF Shady and APF Sunny grass seed are all excellent choices for different types of lawns. We can help you pick the one that's best for your needs. Consider these factors when selecting the grass seed that will do the best for you: -- How is your lawn used? Is it mostly for show or does it have to withstand lots of activity? -- How much sun does the area get? Morning? Afternoon? Most of the day? -- What are the physical limitations of your lawn site, such as slopes or trees? -- How much maintenance are you willing to do? Is water plentiful? Does the turf grass need much mowing and fertilizing?
  
  
• Prepare your soil. If you're overseeding, or reseeding an area where the soil is not compacted, rake the area vigorously to remove as much old thatch as possible. You can also rent a vertical mower called a verticutter to dethatch and loosen the soil. If you're seeding an area where the soil has become compacted over the years, loosen the soil with a tiller or core-type aerator and incorporate organic matter such as Leaf Gro, top soil or Bumper Crop into the top 4" to 6" of the soil.
  
  
• Apply fertilizer and lime (if needed), then apply seed. Rake lightly into the soil or carefully cover with a thin layer of topsoil or 'Bumper Crop'. If seeding a large bare area, apply a thin layer of straw over the lawn to prevent erosion and loss of seeds. Water lightly every morning to keep the soil moist until the seed has sprouted and is tall enough to be mowed (about 3 inches). For more detailed information, stop by either store to discuss your needs with one of our lawn care experts and pick up a copy of our "Lawn Renovation" handout or our 4 Step Natural Turf Care Program'.

AROUND THE GARDEN

• Pay attention to watering! Watering in August is critical for three reasons: First, the summer heat dries the soil out quickly--a 90 degree summer day can bake about two inches of moisture from the soil surface. Second, August is the time when woody plants that bloom in the spring (azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods, lilacs, pieris and others) set their buds for next spring's blooms. If they don't get the moisture they need in August, they may look OK now, but not bloom very well next spring. Third, the latter part of August is when most plants begin storing water for winter, so watering now once a week is very important. And don't forget perennials that you planted this year either. They're still establishing their root systems and need a little extra TLC.
  
  
• Slow, deep watering is better than frequent shallow watering because it encourages a deep root system to develop. That root system will help protect it from future droughts and winter damage. Early morning is the best time to water. It helps plants to store water for the day's heat. Morning watering also helps prevent fungal problems from developing. Of course, if you come home form work to find plants wilted, it's better to water them than to have them continue to be stressed by lack of water. But in such cases, water at the base of the plant as much as possible, keeping water off the leaves.
  
  
• Going on vacation? Move your potted plants out of direct sunlight so they won't need to be watered so often. Ask a neighbor to check on them and to do some watering if necessary.
  
  
• If you applied 'Osmocote' time release fertilizer to your pots or beds in the spring, it may be time to reapply it or supplement with occasional applications of another fertilizer, such as 'Master Nursery All Purpose Water Soluble Fertilizer'. Osmocote lasts up to four months, releasing faster at higher temperatures, so if you applied it in April or early May, it may be almost gone.
  
  
• If you need to apply insecticides, fungicides or fertilizers, resist the urge to apply them when the temperature is above 80 degrees - you may do more harm than good. Spray only in the early morning or evening, when the temperature is below 80 degrees and plants will have a chance to dry before the temperature reaches 80 degrees. Also, make sure plants are well watered first - don't apply fertilizers or pesticides to plants that are already stressed by lack of water.
  
  
• There are several reasons to plant this month: summer blooming shrubs and perennials are more widely available when they're in bloom, spring blooming plants may be on sale because they're out of bloom, or you may have spots where you want to replace annuals that died or aren't looking great. Newly planted shrubs and flowers need a little extra help when planted in the dog days of summer. If we're having a particularly hot spell, wait til it passes. Plant in the evening or on a cloudy day when temperatures are cooler - you and the plant will both be happier. Be sure to keep newly planted shrubs and flowers watered well. Even drought tolerant plants need some help until they get established.
  
  
• Continue to deadhead annuals and perennials (cutting or pinching off dead flowers) for a longer bloom.
  
  
• Are your irises and daylilies getting too crowded? Late August is an ideal time to dig up and divide both plants. Dig up daylilies with a spading fork, wash excess dirt off the roots with a strong stream of water, and pull the roots apart. Replant as soon as possible. Try interplanting them with daffodil bulbs for a two-season display. Dig up bearded irises the same way, but cut apart the individual rhizomes (fleshy roots) with a sharp knife. (Make sure there's at least one growth spot on each rhizome). Discard any parts that are soft or show signs of iris borer. Plant iris high - the top edges of the rhizomes should be at or slightly above the surface of the ground. Mulch daylilies, but not irises.
  
  
• Now's a good time to take stock of your summer perennial garden. Note any plants that don't quite work where they are because they are taller, shorter, bushier or a different color than you thought they'd be. As a general rule, move spring bloomers in the fall and fall bloomers when they come up in the spring. Even if you're not ready to move them now, make notes while their appearance is fresh in your mind. Also note any of those floppy plants you wish you'd put plant supports around when you still could. The best time to install plant supports is when plants are small enough that you don't think they're going to need support.

THE EDIBLE GARDEN

Late August is a great time to plant vegetables that like cool weather, like peas, lettuce, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale and oriental greens.

Plant some fresh basil plants to take you through the fall, especially if yours are beginning to get woody or have flowered. If your basil is just starting to flower, keep pinching off the flowers. Once herbs flower, the flavor of their leaves tends to change, becoming bitter or tasteless.