Tips for August in the Low Desert

Timely Tips for August
in the Low Desert

Tip of The Month

Balance is everything in a garden. Wiping out all the pests is not a realist or even a desirable goal. If there were no aphids, lady beetles would starve. If we don't share the leaves of our plants with caterpillars, we would not experience the joy of watching butterflies. If there were no fungi or bacteria nothing would breakdown to recycle back into the system. Everything has its place and purpose. Select plants that are resistant to known pests, keep them healthy (stressed plants are more vulnerable to pest problems), tolerate a little "damage", and marvel at the many tiny and grand "battles" of nature keeping your yard in balance.

Video Demonstration

How to Make a 3-Step Pruning Cut

Climate Information for August
in Phoenix, Arizona

Rainfall:

Average: 1.0 inches
Record: 5.4 inches (1951)

Temperature (degrees F):

Average High: 103.7 degrees
Lowest High: 73 degrees (1951)
Record High: 116 degrees (1972, 1975)

Average Low: 79.2 degrees
Highest Low: 92 degrees (1995)
Record Low: 58 degrees (1917)

Note: Rainfall and temperatures vary widely within the valley depending upon elevation and microclimate.

To Do List . . .
Turf

Fertilize Bermuda grass lawns each month beginning late April or early May with nitrogen according to the directions on the package.

Apply Iron one per month according to the directions on the package.

Apply one inch of water per week to Bermuda lawns.

Raise the mowing height to 2.5 to 3 inches during the warmer months.

Once every two or three years dethatch Bermuda lawns if necessary. Only dethatch during the active growing season, May through August. This enables the turf to quickly recover.

To remove a Bermuda lawn:

Water and fertilize the grass to ensure that it is actively growing
Apply a herbicide with glyphosate according to the directions on the package
The grass will take in the herbicide throughout the entire root system, thus killing the plant rather than just knocking it back
After a few days water again
Reapply the herbicide to any of the turf that regrows
Continue this cycle (may take three or more times) of fostering growth and applying herbicide until the grass is completely killed

Vegetables

Prepare bed for fall planting

Plant Seeds

Snap Beans, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf) Leeks, Mustard, Green Onions, Summer Squash

Plant Transplants

Tomatoes

Roses

Water deeply as temperatures climb

Hose off plants in the early morning to increase humidity and control spider mites

Toward the end of August and into September add an iron supplement if roses show yellowing from iron deficiency

Fruit and Nut Trees

Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.

Landscape Plants

Apply mulch to the ground around the base of heat sensitive plants keep the roots cooler and prevent evaporation. Keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk.

Apply chelated iron to bottle brush, pyracantha, silk oak, and other plants with iron deficiency symptoms.

Cut off spent blooms to stimulate rebloom

Native and imported heat tolerant plants can be planted right through the summer months. They will need to be watered on a regular basis until fall.

Transplant palms in the heat of the summer for best results

Protect newly transplanted trees from heavy winds and dust storms by staking carefully

Late August or early September fertilization will benefit most plants struggling to have a flush of growth before slowing down for the winter. The growth put on before dormancy will store more energy during the winter that will be available to the plant when it pushes growth in the spring.

Don't List . . .

Do not increase opportunities for fungal disease on turf by over watering or watering at night.

DO NOT OVER WATER which will result in root rots. Allow the soil to dry out between watering.

Frequently Asked Questions
Damage is Noticed on the Fruit

Citrus fruit split

Inappropriate water management leads to sunburn, or tough rind that is then unable to expand as fruit matures. There is nothing to be done for this season, monitor irrigation carefully next summer.

Damage is Noticed on the Leaves

Leaves are abnormally yellow but the veins are still green

Leaf Drop

Seasonal Leaf drop is normal intensified by hot, dry weather

The leaves or needles have yellow spots or stippling. Leaves are stunted and twisted. There is a fine webbing between leaves.

A shiny little bug is destroying Mexican Evening Primrose, Dichondra, or vegetables

Bermuda grass is turning yellow-brown and dying in patches, there are tiny white flecks in the soil around the roots

Tomatoes and other vegetables experience "failure to thrive." There are little nodules on the roots.

There is a gray or white powdery substance on plants

Seedlings and bedding plants wilt and die suddenly

Damage is Noticed on the Stem or Trunk

The bark is discolored on the South or West side of the trunk

Pines are dying back from the tips

This is a probably a physiological response. Check the soil near the trunk. Those with circling roots exhibit the worst symptoms.

Leaves, twigs (and in advanced stages, branches) of pears and pyracantha are dying back from the tips with a scorched appearance

There are brown balls/galls on the stems of oleander

Dry, thin bark cracks and splits to reveal black, powdery spores. Foliage above the wound is sparse and leaves may be small. Eventually branches die back to the canker.

Saguaro cactus has large black patches that are oozing and smell terrible

Whole tree, or significant portion of plant died suddenly, the leaves turned brown but did not fall off.

Damage is Noticed on the Roots

Cultural / Environmental Questions