For me, August is the month to enjoy the fruits of your labor during the earlier months of the year and to prepare for fall. And, what plant is more lovely than Russian sage (purple is my favorite color)?

Okay, that’s enough resting! Time to do your August work….

Planting

• Sow spinach, turnips, kale and cold hardy lettuce for fall
• Sow hardy perennials such as sweet Williams, and forget-me-nots
• Save excess seed for planting next year

Cleaning Up

• Clean, sharpen and oil tools. Sand wooden handles. If you paint them a bright color, you won’t lose them (like I do!) when they’re laid down in the garden
• Store pesticides, if you use them, in a well-ventilated place out of the reach of children and pets
• Clean up your gardening work area

Take Care of What You Already Have

• Weed (before they flower
• Make arrangements for someone to water if you're going on vacation
• Edge all your beds
• Top dress strawberries with compost
• Check container plantings and water and fertilize as needed
• Use a water bottle with a strong stream for removing aphids and other pests
• Remove any diseased or damaged wood
• Remove dropped fruit and garden debris
• Prune climbing roses
• Cut out old raspberry canes
• Mulch garden beds 2-3 inches deep with an organic or gravel mulch
• Prune tightly shaped hedges, if needed, after the second flush of growth