Ask an Expert - August Yard and Garden Checklist 2021

The heat is on, and yards and gardens are trying to keep up with high temperatures and drought conditions. Consider these tips from the USU Extension Gardeners Almanac to help your garden succeed this month. Also included are links for further information.

Beginning in early August, plant selected cool seasonvegetables for a fall harvest.
Deadhead (cut off) spent blossoms of perennial and annual flowers.
Deep waterestablished trees and shrubs about once per month during the heat of summer.
With limited water due to the drought, turfgrass should be the last priority for watering. Priorities include (in order of importance) trees, bushes, perennials, annuals and turfgrass.

Pests and Problems:

Check under leaves of pumpkins, melons and squash plants for squash bugs.
Watch for mosaic virus in vine crops, and remove infected plants to reduce the spread.
Watch for holes from tobacco budworm feeding in the leaves of petunias, necotiana, geraniums and other annual flowers.
Protect black locust trees (not honey locust) with a registered chemical to prevent locust borer
Control codling mothin apples and pears to reduce wormy fruit. For specific timing, see our Utah Pests Advisories.
Control for walnut husk flyin walnuts, peaches and apricots between August 1 and 15.
Learn how to identify a hobo spider.
Control European paper waspwith traps this time of year.
Monitor for damaging turfgrass insects.