Audrey Gillespie

Special to the Reporter-News

August is nearly behind us. Thank goodness. As temperatures gradually decrease, garden activity picks up.

Here are some ideas to help reinvigorate home gardens and landscapes, drawn from the Texas Gardener 2019 Planning Guide and Calendar.

► A good memory prompt for the last pruning of the year for non-climbing roses is to tie the task to Labor Day, but it can be done any time in the first two-thirds of September. Concentrate on removing crossing or dead canes and twiggy unattractive growth.

► Divide oxalis, bearded iris, daylilies, and other spring-flowering perennials. This is especially important if iris or daylily populations are crowded. Both blooms and general vigor will decline if this task is not done. Transplant extras or share with a grateful friend.

►Plant cool-season grasses like Inland Sea Oats and Mexican Feather Grass. Warm season grasses are best planted in the spring.

►Plant wildflower seeds. Choose just one favorite variety, preferably native to Texas, or use seed mixes in anticipation of a wildly colorful tapestry next spring. Packets are available with seeds for shade wildflowers, short wildflowers, etc. Sowing these seeds might be the easiest chore of the month with the biggest pay-off. Visit the Aggie Horticulture website, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu, and search "wildflower planting" for detailed information for the greatest success. Continue to sow through early December for a succession of blooms.

►Fertilize the lawn for the last time. In the absence of a soil test, one pound of nitrogen per one thousand feet is recommended. Water well but avoid fertilizing just before a storm or letting irrigation water run off the property. Improperly used lawn fertilizers are a big contributor to water pollution.

►Plant perennials in the latter part of the month.

►Plant parsley, radishes, spinach, greens and carrots. Moisten the soil well before seeding for the best results. Plant extra parsley and carrots for the caterpillars that will be transformed into beautiful black swallowtail butterflies. Do not use pesticides if you want to attract them.

The cool temperatures of fall bring sweet flavor to crops, but insect pests can be a problem. Hand-picking or using an organic pesticide are the best methods of control. Cabbage loopers seem to be the most troublesome of the lot. Bt is a non-toxic, organic option that provides good control.

Garden art

Do you like garden art? Learn to make your own from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday at the Taylor County Extension Office’s conference room. The take-home craft will be an awesome owl. Learn how to make mosaics and other decorative items for personality in the garden.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Snacks and drinks will be provided. This great opportunity, hosted by the Big Country Master Gardener Association, is free to the public. Come celebrate the end of August with us.

The BCMGA would love to hear from you. Call our hotline at 325-672-6048 with your garden questions. Email us at Bcmg@bcmg.tx/org. Follow us on Facebook.

Until next time, happy gardening!