First Week
- Regularly remove faded flowers from salvia, zinnia, coneflower and especially petunia. This will encourage bushiness and the production of more flowers.
- Remove all stems that support faded flowers on your blue and pink hydrangeas; shorten droopy, flowerless stems by one-third. The new growth that occurs between now and winter will produce next summer's blooms.
- There is still plenty of time to plant seed of marigold, cosmos, cleome and dwarf sunflower. They'll make a spectacular flower show in six weeks.
Second Week
- Cut back by half herbs like basil, mint and oregano. This prevents them from producing seed and promotes more fragrant leaves.
- If you have to dig a hole for a post, let your water hose trickle in the spot all night long. The water will soften the soil which will decrease the overall sweat and tears.
- Pick squash, cucumbers and okra regularly. One over-ripe vegetable, left on the vine, stops bloom production.
- Don't let fruit tree limbs break. Prop them up with poles or remove some unripe fruit.
Third Week
- Wood chips make great mulch by saving moisture and controlling weeds! Spread a layer 2 inches deep under trees and shrubs out to where the branches end.
- Ticks are a big problem. Take time to do a "tick check" when kids return from playing in the yard or nearby woods.
- Cut back dahlias to half their height. Fertilize and water the plant to produce a crop of fall flowers.
- Bermuda, zoysia and centipede grass sod can be successfully installed in bare spots now. Make sure to loosen the soil six inches deep before putting the sod in place.
Fourth Week
- Water spring-planted trees and shrubs weekly: 2 gallons of water per foot of height.
- Mow grass growing in the shade one-half to one inch higher than the normally recommended height. Plants need as much leaf surface as possible to take advantage of any available light.
- Prune figs lightly now, removing the tall shoots in the middle of the bush. Fruit on horizontal limbs will develop best.
- Don't automatically reach for a fungicide if you suspect a disease on your plants. Identify the problem correctly first - it might not be a disease after all! Call 404-897-6261 for Extension office numbers in metro Atlanta.
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