August Garden Tasks: Planting Low-Water Lawns, Herbs, Vegetables, and Maintenance

Plant

• Low-water lawns: Replace conventional turf with blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis 'Hachita') or buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides 'Legacy'). Plugs and seeds from High Country Gardens (800-925-9387).
• Herbs by zone: Zones 1a–3b: calendula, chives, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, society garlic. Zones 10–11: basil, bee balm, lemon balm, pineapple sage. Zones 12–13: basil, chives, lemon verbena, nasturtiums.
• Native/low-water perennials: Plant now—summer rains ease digging. Zones 10–13: mist flower (Conoclinium greggii) and blue mist flower (Ageratum corymbosum) attract butterflies; pair with 'New Gold' lantana.
• Zephyr flowers (Zones 10–13): Plant summer-flowering bulbs now–Nov. Zephyranthes candida (white); hybrid 'Prairie Sunset' (apricot, evergreen foliage).
• Vegetables by zone: Zones 1a–3b: sow arugula, bush beans, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes, spinach, turnips; transplant broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower. Zones 10–11: sow beans, corn, cucumbers, potatoes, spinach. Zones 12–13: sow bush beans, carrots, corn, green onions, summer squash, turnips.

Maintain

• Weeds: Early morning, pull by hand or spray undiluted white vinegar (avoid desirable plants).
• Oleander: For fullness, prune ⅓ of base branches. To reduce size, cut to 12″, fertilize, water well. Watch for oleander gall (malformed flowers, warty growths)—remove affected parts, disinfect shears between cuts (10:1 water:bleach).
• Tomatoes (Zones 10–13): Shear to 1 ft, fertilize, water deeply for fall crop ripening in September.
• Citrus: Late month, final feeding with citrus fertilizer; water before and after.
• Mulch: After storms, refresh bare spots. Match gravel color/size at local yard.