Plants in Flower:

Crape Myrtle, Rose-of-Sharon, Peegee Hydrangea, Abelia, Canna, Dahlia, Trumpet Creeper, Cardinal Flower, Butterfly Weed, Phlox, Cleome, Hosta, Liriope and Summer Annuals.

What to Fertilize:

-- Strawberries will benefit from a feeding of nitrogen fertilizer this month.
-- Do NOT fertilize shrubs in August, September, October or November.

What to Plant:

-- Spider lily (lycoris), colchicum(autumn crocus) and sternbergia bulbs should be planted in August.
-- Continue repotting house plants.
-- Plant the following fall vegetable transplants this month: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and collards.
--The following fall vegetables can be planted this month: beets, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, radish, rutabaga, spinach, squash and turnip.

What to Prune:

--Most pruning chores need to finished up early in the month. Try not to prune after the 15th of the month. Plants need to harden off for the cold weather to come.

Pest Outlook:

-- Check the following landscape shrubs for the following insect pests: arborvitae and juniper-spider mites, crape myrtle-aphids, azalea and pyracantha-lace bug.
-- Continue with weekly rose spray program.
-- Peach, nectarine and plum trees need a trunk spray for peach tree borers.
--Cherry laurel shrubbery, purple-leaf plum trees and ornamental cherry trees need a trunk spray for protection against borers.
-- Spray the following fall vegetables if insect damage is observed: broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower-worms and squash-squash vine borers.
-- Continue regular sprays on bunch grapes and tree fruits.
-- Check red-tip photinia for leaf spot and spray if needed.
-- Control the following woody weeds by spraying them with the recommended herbicide: kudzu, trumpet creeper and wisteria.
--The North Carolina Extension Service recommends that you use pesticides sparingly and only when needed.

Lawn Care:

-- Treat lawn areas for grubs. Use the recommended insecticides this month or an "organic" control in early October.
-- In late August, prepare the lawn areas for seeding if you plan to have a tall fescue or bluegrass lawn.
--Most grasses need a soil pH of 6.5 in order to utilize fertilizer.
--Fertilize your zoysia and Bermudagrass lawns for the last time of the season.

Propagation:

-- Cuttings of your favorite shrubs can still be taken in August.

Specific Chores:

-- If you are planning to do some fall landscape planting, be sure you have a planting plan prepared.
-- Continue watering your favorite landscape plants and the vegetable garden if dry weather persists.
-- Begin the construction of a leaf compost bin.
-- Cure Irish potatoes this month.
-- Disbud Japonica camellias where two flower buds on the same stem exist. Remove the bud only if they originate from the same point.