By Al Haneson

As the summer moves into August, it’’s tempting to neglect your garden. After all, the growing season has ended and Fall is on its way. There’’s no real gardening left to do, right?

You could be wrong! There are plenty of jobs and tasks for gardeners even as summer nears its end. Taking care of your garden in the heat of August will pay off as your perennials and annuals start to grow again next spring.

The first step in maintaining a healthy summer garden is to keep watering plants, especially the most vulnerable ones, as much as needed. Gardeners should also keep a close eye on the water quality in backyard ponds, especially those ponds with fish or floating plants. Also, make sure that the water in your ponds is at its proper level.

If you have a backyard vegetable garden, now is the time to harvest many of your crops. Many vegetables are in peak condition in the later portion of summer. They'’ll be at their tastiest at this point.

It’’s also a good time to pick the fruit from your trees and plants. As fruit ripens, it attracts birds, squirrels, wasps and other pests that can easily ruin your strawberries, apples and peaches.

Lawn care also becomes important at this time of year, especially when you are suffering through a dry summer. Make sure you mow your lawn at the proper summer height setting so that your grass doesn'’t burn under the hot sun.

Many pests and insects thrive during the late period of summer. The heat and humidity are ideal conditions for them. Be on the lookout for these pests, and take the steps necessary to protect your flowers and bushes.

The late summer, unfortunately, is also a time when another sort of pest, the weed, thrives. It’’s easier to handle these invaders if you pull them regularly. Waiting until weeds have already taken over a garden will only result in extra work for you.

Of course, gardening doesn'’t have to be only drudgery in the summer. Gardeners can also start planning for spring. Late summer is a good time for gardeners to begin ordering spring-flowering bulbs. It’’s also a good time to plant these bulbs.

Late summer doesn'’t have to be a dead time for your backyard garden. There’’s plenty of work to do to ensure that your gardens will flourish next spring. Late summer is also a time to look ahead: Remember, fall and winter only last so long. Spring will soon be here.

About The Author

Al Haneson gives more information about lawn care at his site about lawn fertilizing and more.