Garden Tips for Early to Mid-August

Friday, July 31, 2026

Trees and Shrubs

Continue delaying planting woody ornamentals until temperatures moderate.
Avoid fertilizing trees and shrubs late in the season.
Watch for the second generation of fall webworm in late August. Small webs can be pruned out if practical. Established trees usually tolerate feeding with little long-term damage. Good penetration with an appropriate insecticide may be necessary in severe cases.
Control Bermudagrass around trees and shrubs with products containing sethoxydim or fluazifop. Follow directions closely to avoid harming desirable plants.
Expect some leaf fall from trees. This is a normal reaction to drought stress. Water newly planted trees and shrubs deeply during prolonged dry periods.
Check mulch around trees and shrubs. Maintain a 2 to 3-inch layer, but keep mulch several inches away from the trunk and low branches to prevent decay.
Delay planting woody ornamentals until cooler weather.
Remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches as needed, but avoid heavy pruning during periods of extreme heat.

Discontinue deadheading roses by mid-August to help initiate winter hardiness.
Watch for high populations of caterpillars, aphids, spider mites, thrips, scales, and other insects on plant material in the landscape and treat as needed. (EPP-7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control (For Homeowners)
Continue removing spent flowers from annuals and repeat-blooming perennials until cooler weather.
Check containers and hanging baskets daily during hot weather, as they may require watering more than once per day.

Continue planting fall vegetables according to HLA-6009 - Fall Gardening. Many cool-season crops can be planted during August. Afternoon shade may be helpful to improve germination and establishment.
Maintain consistent soil moisture to reduce cracking in tomatoes.
Mulch vegetable beds to conserve soil moisture, reduce weed competition, and moderate soil temperatures. Organic mulches such as shredded leaves, straw, untreated grass clippings, or wood chips also improve soil as they decompose.
Harvest vegetables frequently. Regular harvest encourages continued production of crops such as beans, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and other summer crops.
Water deeply and consistently during hot weather. Most vegetables perform best with about 1- to 1.5-inches of water per week from rainfall or irrigation.
Remove overripe, damaged, or diseased fruits promptly to reduce pest problems and encourage continued production.
Continue scouting for spider mites, squash bugs, and hornworms. Early detection makes management much more effective.
Begin cleaning up spring and early summer crops to reduce disease carryover and make room for fall vegetables.

Tall fescue should be mowed at 3 inches during the hot summer and up to 3 ½ inches if it grows under heavier shade.
Begin controlling bermudagrass in areas that will be converted to tall fescue this fall.
Irrigated bermudagrass lawns may receive their final nitrogen application in early to mid-August.
Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses can be a problem. (HLA-6420 - Lawn Management in Oklahoma)

Harvest peaches, blackberries, grapes, and other fruits promptly as they ripen.
Water fruit and pecan trees during extended dry periods, particularly newly planted trees and those carrying heavy fruit loads.
Continue sanitation by removing fallen fruit to reduce insects and diseases.

Water compost during extremely dry periods so that it remains active. Turn the pile to generate heat throughout for proper sterilization.
Water deeply and less frequently rather than lightly each day to encourage deeper root growth.
Providing birdbaths, shelter, and food will help turn your landscape into a backyard wildlife habitat.
Leave shallow water sources for pollinators by placing pebbles or marbles in a shallow dish and refilling it regularly.
Keep an eye on irrigation systems and hoses during periods of high-water demand. Repair leaks and clogged emitters promptly to improve water efficiency.