August gardening tips

August:
The monsoon is bringing little relief, so the air is not as dry. This is the beginning of the summer growing season in the desert.

Rainfall:
Average: 1.0 inches
Record: 5.4 inches (1951)

Temperature (degrees F):
Average High: 103.7 degrees
Lowest High: 73 degrees (1951)
Record High: 116 degrees (1972, 1975)
Average Low: 79.2 degrees
Highest Low: 92 degrees (1995)
Record Low: 58 degrees (1917)

Now’s the time to:
- Hold on trimming plants for another month to prevent sunburn.

Grass:
- Plant Bermuda lawns during the active growing season, May through August.
- Fertilize Bermuda grass lawns each month beginning late April or early May with nitrogen according to the directions on the package.
- Apply Iron one per month according to the directions on the package.
- Apply one inch of water per week to Bermuda lawns.
- Raise the mowing height to 2.5 to 3 inches during the warmer months.
- Once every two or three years dethatch Bermuda lawns if necessary. Only dethatch during the active growing season, May through August. This enables the turf to quickly recover. 

To remove a Bermuda lawn:
- Water and fertilize the grass to ensure that it is actively growing 
- Apply a herbicide with glyphosate according to the directions on the package 
- The grass will take in the herbicide throughout the entire root system, thus killing the plant rather than just knocking it back 
- After a few days water again 
- Reapply the herbicide to any of the turf that re-grows 
- Continue this cycle (may take three or more times) of fostering growth and applying herbicide until the grass is completely killed.

What to sow:
Gaillardia, Marigold, Nasturnium, Shasta Daisy, Zinnia

In the vegetable garden
- Solarize garden soil: Prepare bed for fall planting, irrigate and then cover with clear plastic for six weeks. This will kill or drive out many of the soil pathogens.
- Prepare bed for fall planting
- Plant Seeds: Snap Beans, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf) Leeks, Mustard, Green Onions, Summer Squash 
- Plant Transplants: Tomatoes

Roses:
- Cut back on fertilizing established roses to encourage plants to slow down for the hot summer
- Water deeply as temperatures climb
- Hose off plants in the early morning to increase humidity and control spider mites
- Toward the end of August and into September add an iron supplement if roses show yellowing from iron deficiency

Things Not To Do:
- Do not expose citrus and other sun sensitive plants to sunburn by pruning during the summer
- Do not increase opportunities for fungal disease on turf by over watering or watering at night.
- DO NOT OVER WATER which will result in root rots. Allow the soil to dry out between watering

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