It is still extremely hot out and the cooler weather of autumn may seem a lifetime away but August is the time to get ready for a great fall garden. Here are some tips to get you ready for much more pleasant gardening days ahead:
Fall Vegetables Now
We are blessed in Northeast Florida with an opportunity to plant two crops of many warm season vegetables and get a nice winter crop as well. In August you can plant another round of some of your favorites including tomatoes, peppers, squash, green beans, and cucumbers to have them ready before our first frost. Additionally, many of our winter vegetables are planted now as well including beets, radishes, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, and many others. For more information on the timing for your fall crops check out https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021.
Autumn Landscapes
As temperatures cool, it can be nice to get back out and get your landscape ready for the autumn. August and September can be a great time to add perennials, shrubs, and trees to the landscape. Transplanting is also much more successful for woody plants when its a bit colder. If you are looking for some awesome plants, check out our 6th annual Clay County Master Gardener Plant Sale on September 7th, 2019 from 8:30 am until 2:00 pm at the Clay County Agricultural Center (2463 State Road 16W, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043). We have almost 2000 plants for sale along with live music, vendors, kids activities, workshops, and food. All plants featured are Florida-Friendly and known to do well in Northeast Florida.
Storm Preparedness
It’s been pretty quiet so far but hurricane season is here. Be prepared by taking care of hazard trees and limbs now and make sure nothing in your garden could become dangerous during severe weather. If you need expert tree advice, consider hiring an ISA-certified arborist. To search for one near you check out www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/ .
For more information on getting your yard ready for fall this August, check out my full article at https://www.claytodayonline.com/stories/getting-the-garden-ready-for-fall,18531?.
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