August Garden Checklist: Regional Tasks for Late Summer

August gardens offer much to do and enjoy. Butterflies abound; magenta, burgundy, and orange late-summer bloomers foreshadow fall colors. Give containers and summer edibles love with proper watering and feeding. Deadhead spent flowers for repeat blooms — or let them set seed for wildlife food/habitat. Take stock of what you see, preparing for fall planting. Here's what to do in U.S. gardens in August.

Find Your August Garden Checklist:

California | Central Plains | Great Lakes | Mid-Atlantic | Northeast | Pacific Northwest | Rocky Mountains | Southeast | Southwest | Texas

Northwest

"Keep deadheading roses, Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum × superbum), dahlias, and other summer-flowering plants," writes landscape designer Genevieve Schmidt. "Removing spent flowers encourages new buds and energy into blooms for the rest of summer."

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California

"Golden Gate Park, once windswept sand dunes, now showcases plants worldwide," writes garden editor Bill Marken. "Few more eye-catching than nodding pincushion, a South African protea. Proteas are notoriously difficult to grow — high cost as cut blooms. Worth a try with perfectly drained soil and coastal climate — not too hot."

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Southwest

"Container plants looking tired? Plants need fertilizing in containers," writes Arizona horticulturalist Noelle Johnson. "Use slow-release all-purpose fertilizer (lasts ~3 months) or liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Rewarded with bigger plants and more blooms."

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Rocky Mountains

"August heat is not the time to divide/move plants, but great for planning ahead for active September," says Colorado landscape designer Jocelyn Chilvers. "Look at your garden critically as you plan shopping and work lists for cooler days."

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Texas

"Light, frequent waterings encourage shallow roots — not good for heat/dry weather. Water deeply but less often, encouraging roots to dig deep," writes landscape designer Jenny Peterson.

"Avoid watering foliage directly; water early morning or late day to avoid rapid evaporation. Better yet, install drip irrigation or soaker hoses to direct water to roots."

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Central Plains

"Prime butterfly season. Deadhead for second smaller flush, or leave for winter interest," writes Nebraska garden consultant Benjamin Vogt. "Most birds eat seeds in fall — decide if deadheading is worth the gamble. Usually best to leave coneflowers and mid-to-late summer bloomers; early summer blooms might be good to cut back. Here a tiger swallowtail enjoys a pit stop."

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Great Lakes

"August marks transition to autumnal blooms, starting with tall sedums including Hylotelephium 'Purple Emperor'," writes Illinois garden coach Barbara Pintozzi. "Growing it in front of chartreuse foliage makes a garden standout."

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Northeast

"Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium spp) blooms along roadsides and meadows," writes Vermont landscape consultant Charlotte Albers. "Widely adaptable, grows well in poor soils — good for rain gardens, swales, or areas where water pools."

"Species is intimidating — too tall for most gardens, but shorter versions exist. 'Phantom' (Dupatorium × 'Phantom,' zones 4–8), a dwarf ~40 inches tall, attracts honeybees and butterflies."

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Mid-Atlantic

"While temperatures scorch now, cool weather comes in months — time to seed cool-season plants," says garden writer Amy Renea. "Love planting a second run of greens like chard (pictured), spinach, and lettuces. Wait for a summer rainstorm and get out there and seed!"

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Southeast

"Select and preorder spring-blooming bulbs now while supplies are plentiful," writes North Carolina garden writer Helen Yoest. "Don't put off today what will be gone tomorrow. Unusual bulbs sell fast. Already put in my order. Try something fun like species tulip Tulipa clusiana."

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