August 2001

Edible

Plant greens, lettuce, kohlrabi and radishes for fall harvest.

Sow beets, spinach and turnips.

Watch for yellowjackets. They are 3/4 inch long and more highly colored with definite yellow and black stripes than honeybees. Yellowjackets will sting repeatedly. Squashing them will release a chemical that causes other wasps to attack. Spray the opening of above ground nests with Sevin dust. Read and follow all label directions. Do this at dusk. As they go in and out of the nest, they will get the pesticide on their bodies. Pests will be killed in about five days.

Control weeds before they go to seed. Every weed that produces seeds means trouble in the vegetable garden next year.

Cover sunflower seed heads with cheesecloth when birds start pecking, but also leave a couple heads for the birds. Heads are ready to cure when the backside of the head is brown and dry, with no trace of green. Cut off the seed head, leaving a foot or two of stalk attached. Hang it to cure --still in the cheesecloth--in a well-ventilated, warm location. When the backs are entirely brown and crisp, the seeds should snap out easily. Prepare mature seeds by covering unshelled seeds with salted water (2 quarts of water to 1/4 to _ cups salt). Bring to a boil and simmer two hours or soak in a salt solution overnight. Drain and dry on absorbent paper. Put sunflower seeds in a shallow pan in a 300 degrees F oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Take out of oven and add one teaspoon of melted butter or margarine to one cup of seeds. Stir to coat. Put on an absorbent towel. Salt to taste.

Ornamental

Seed lawns from mid-August through early September. For small areas in need of reseeding rake away debris, roughen the soil surface, spread the seed and water. If putting down sod, water new sod several times a day for 1-2 weeks until it begins to knit. Do not let sod dry out.

Do not apply fertilizer to roses after August 15. Fertilization before the 15th will cause soft, succulent growth that could be winter-damaged. You can apply fertilizer after roses have gone dormant. Fertilizer will be available as rose grows in spring. Spread the fertilizer in a band starting 6 inches from the crown, going out to about 18 inches. Work it in and water.

Divide iris, peonies and poppies. Lift the old iris rhizome. Cut the rhizomes apart into 3-4" sections with roots and a fan of leaves. Cut leaves back to 6-8" tall. Check rhizomes for firmness. Discard soft ones. Plant new rhizomes in sunny area. Dig a hole leaving a ridge of soil down the center of hole. Plant rhizome over the edge with roots spread out over either side. Rhizome should be planted one inch below soil surface and 18-24" apart.

Select trees for fall planting. Consider the mature size of the tree, insect and disease problems, flowers, fruits, growth rate, overall shape and site conditions, such as wet or dry soils and sun or shade. For a list of trees that should be used with caution in landscape areas call 773-233-0476.

Cut strawflowers intended for dried flower arrangements when the blooms are only half open. Tie small bundles of the flowers together and hang them upside down in a well ventilated place to dry. Hanging in the sunlight may cause fading of colors. Call for a factsheet on drying flowers.