August Lawn & Landscape Tips

We have arrived at the hottest, driest point of the season.  The last 10 days of July and the first 10 days of August are when Oklahoma City’s average daily temperature reaches its peak.

The key to surviving the hottest period of the season is best practices.

Best practices, not just during times of high stress, but rather it is best practices all the time that make the difference.

To finish the summer strong, here are a few best practices to focus on:

This week I started mowing my fescue lawn one setting higher. More leaf space results in better heat and drought tolerance.

Mowing – Both warm season turf (Bermuda and Zoysia) and cool season turf (Fescue) should be mowed at the highest level this month, warm season 2-2.5” and cool season up to 3-3.5”.  At the higher level the lawn will have more leaf space resulting in better heat and drought tolerance. Continue to mow often enough that you are removing only 1/3 of the grass each time you cut.  If you are cutting frequently enough to pass the 1/3 test, don’t catch the clippings.  Allowing the clippings to decompose on the lawn will return moisture and nitrogen to the soil. Give no bagging a try.  You will be surprised at how much more color your lawn will retain even in the heat.  When you bag your clippings, you are tossing out nitrogen and moisture your lawn could really use this month.

Best Mowing Practice for August – Mow high, mow often, and don’t bag your clippings.

Bermuda lawns perform their best in the heat. Mow often and don’t bag the clippings. Grass clippings are mostly nitrogen and moisture. Your lawn will thank you for giving them back.

After mulch mowing, use your blower to distribute any noticeable clippings.

Well maintained Bermuda lawns can’t be beat in August.  This Bermuda lawn is the result of best practices this summer: well timed lawn care applications, aeration in June, deep infrequent watering, and mulch mowing.

Brown Patch develops in fescue lawns that have an area of low air circulation or heavy shade during the summer if the area stays wet for more than 5 hours at a time. Don't create Brown Patch with your watering practices. Allow your fescue time to dry between waterings.

Healthy lawns have deep root systems.  Roots will grow to the moisture.  If your watering pattern is short, shallow, frequent watering resulting in moisture only in the top 1-2”, you will have a shallow rooted lawn dependent upon daily water.  Deep soaking results in a root system with grass roots 6” to 2’ deep that is not dependent upon frequent watering and is drought resistant. 

Remember, trees planted in the last two years need supplemental watering during the summer heat and extended dry periods. A good rule of thumb is to give them 10 gallons of water every week.

Best Watering Practice for August – Know how long you need to water to get 1 ½” water on your lawn each week.  Practice deep soaking, infrequent watering.

Watering – The abundant soil moisture from the wet July start has quickly disappeared over the past week. The best-looking lawns and landscapes are now receiving 1 ½” of water per week now.   

To learn how long and how often you need to water for your landscape to receive 1 ½” of moisture, place your Hall | Stewart Rain Gauge or cans around your lawn.  Water using your normal cycle and then check the cups.  Adjust watering times and frequency accordingly to insure 1 ½” is applied each week.  Remember your landscape prefers deep soaking, infrequent watering over shallow, frequent watering.  Even in the heat, lawns and landscapes are at their best when they are watered deeply as needed and not every day.

Take time to check your irrigation and fine tune it. A leaning head often is the culprit for dry spots in the lawn.

If you are unsure about your watering practices, let us help. 

We can schedule an Irrigation Audit/Check to make sure your system

is operating at its peak efficiency during the summer heat.

Fertilizer – Apply fertilizer to warm season turf this month.  This time of the year, Bermuda and Zoysia benefit from a high nitrogen fertilizer that is low in phosphorus and potassium. 

DO NOT fertilize cool season lawns until we reach the cooler temperatures of September.   

Warm and cool season turfs require different fertilizer schedules.  Don’t make the mistake of trying to treat them the same when it comes to fertilizing.   

Best Fertilizer Practice for August – Fertilize bermudagrass, don’t fertilize fescue.  Important - Follow watering instructions after fertilizer is applied.

August is the month to be less aggressive on weed control. Because a thick turf is the most important part of good weed control, you want to avoid weakening the turf going into the fall.

Weed Control – Spring pre-emergent herbicides are reaching the end of their effectiveness in your soils.  Should an occasional weed show up in your turf this month, it is best to go easy on weed control.  We have reached the time of the year that damaged turf may not have a chance to fully recover before fall.  Great weed control is at least 75% the result of thick turf.  August is the month to focus on turf development going into the fall.

Later this month is the best time to start applying the first fall pre-emergent herbicide application.  The first fall weed to germinate is poa annua (annual bluegrass).  Poa annua has become more and more of a problem to control in lawns worldwide as it has developed resistance to current herbicide chemistry.  For the best prevention, it is important to put a pre-emergent on your lawn between mid-August and the end of September followed by a second pre-emergent, using a different herbicide, in October or November. 

Best Weed Control Practice for August – Don’t cause turf damage by over-treating weeds.  Better to go into the fall with a thick turf than one with herbicide damaged thin areas.

Bermuda vs Fescue in August – Bermuda (warm season turf) loves the summer heat.  Fescue (cool season turf) prefers nights below 70 and days below 90.  Healthy bermuda lawns look their best in the heat of the summer.  Healthy fescue will retain color, although not as much as in early summer, and growth will slow. 

Fescue where there is plenty of air circulation and dabbled sunlight typically looks best in the warm weather.  Fescue lawns with heavy shade and little air circulation tend to think from brown patch disease.  Brown patch occurs in fescue lawns anytime the grass stays wet for 5 hours or more at a time and nighttime temperatures are in the 70s.  During the hottest and driest time of the season, brown patch is often self-inflicted by watering your fescue in the morning and evening, a common by incorrect watering habit on fescue lawns in July and August.

Inspect Shady Lawn Areas - September through October is the best time of the year to establish fescue.  Now is the time to assess the areas of the lawn where bermuda has become thin due to increasing shade (Bermuda needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight to be thick), areas of the lawn where fescue did not perform well because of very dense shade (Fescue needs at least some dappled sun), and areas of fescue that have been damaged by brown patch this summer.   Because fescue does not spread you should plan on adding some seed every fall.

Best Fescue Lawn Practice for August – Inspect and evaluate your turf.  Check shade patterns and make a plan for overseeding low light areas with fescue this fall.

Need Help Evaluating Your Shady Areas? 

We would be happy to evaluate your shade and make a recommendation. 

Just give us a call at (405)367-3873 or respond to this email.

Insect Watch – If grubs have been a problem in your lawn, August is the time to apply an insecticide.  Remember, the insecticide will kill desirable insects also.  Only treat for grubs if there is evidence of a problem.  

Continue to inspect shrubs for aphids and treat as needed.  A common host plant is the Crape Myrtle.

Inspect your trees and shrubs for active bagworms.  If you need help controlling bagworms, give us a call.  When possible, remove and throw away bagworms.  Don’t toss them on the ground because they will crawl back onto your plants. 

Watch for webworms in your trees this month.  The later generations of webworm are the ones that cause damage.  If noticed early when the webbing is small, simply cutting the branch out is the best control.  If spraying is required, you must penetrate the webbing to gain control.

Best Insect Control Practice for August – Spend a few minutes inspecting your lawn and landscape for insect activity.  Treat as needed.

A common problem on Hackberry trees in the summer is nipple gall. Unfortunately little can be done to control gall-making insects.

When you remove bagworms please dispose of them. This little guy is slowly climbing back up a tree to do more destruction.

This summer’s Crape Myrtle colors have been brilliant.

How is your summer color doing?  This year my planting of Joseph Coat, Sunpatiens, Lantana, and Penta has put on a great show.

Limelight Hydrangeas can’t be beat for colorful summer shrub. This is a ‘Little Lime’ and is great for smaller areas.

Landscape Color – How has the color been in your landscape this season?  Sometime this month take pictures and make notes of the plants that are doing the best in your landscape.   

• Black-eyed Susan’s are the perfect perennial to add color to the landscape during July and August. 

• Crape Myrtles are loving the warm days and rewarding us with abundant summer color this year.

• Limelight Hydrangeas continue to brighten the landscape even on the hottest of days. 

• Lantana, Penta, and Periwinkle are at their best now. 

What is adding great color to your landscape right now?  We want to know.  Send pictures please.

Lantana is one of the best heat-loving annuals and with so many varieties, there is a right one for every landscape.

Angelonia is becoming a favorite summer annual. It has profile spikes of color and is available in white and shades of pinks and purples.

Crape Myrtle and Black-eyed Susan’s are a great color combination for late summer color.

Coleus is a great summer annual with big colorful leaves that at interest to the summer landscape.

Black-eyed Susan’s add a splash of bright color to the hot summer landscape.

Lantana is one of the best annual color plants for a summer filled with above average temperatures.

Shasta Daisies are nearing the end of their summer color show.

The best perennial plantings are the ones that have something blooming spring to fall. I challenge you to find another perennial that puts on a better color show in August than Black-eyed Susans.  

Keep faded blooms pruned off and you will extend their bloom time a few more weeks.

August is a great time to evaluate your summer annual color and make notes on what worked and what didn’t. This planting of Sunpatien, Begonia, Penta, Joseph Coat, and Melampodium started the summer looking great. But over the last few weeks the Melampodium has over powered the rest of the color. Note: “If using Melampodium plant it in the back.”

Black-eyed Susan

Hardy Hibiscus

Caladium and Impatiens

Sunpatiens

Crape Myrtle

Magnolia

Crape Myrtle

Trumpet Vine

Limelight Hydrangea

Lantana

Sunpatien

Penta

Wisteria

Lantana

Lantana

Periwinkle & Gomphrena  

Crape Myrtle

Mexican Petunia

Zinnia

Zinnia

Sunflower

Black-eyed Susan

Tropical Hibiscus and Sweet Potato Vine

Penta, Sunpatien, Coleus, Joseph’s Coat, and Angelonia

Caladium & Impatiens

Having a great lawn and landscape through the heat of the summer is a result of good maintenance practices year after year. 

A great lawn and landscape are not the result of one season, or even a full year of focus. 

A great environment is the result of discovering and developing great practices and then repeating them season after season, year after year.

If you need assistance in developing great practices or have questions concerning your lawn and landscape, give us a call.

Lorne Hall

Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape

(405) 367-3873

More perennials, please!

Over the years, I have become more and more fond of using perennials in the landscape. 

In the early days of my love for landscapes, I was slow to add perennials because they don’t add color all season and often their foliage is unattractive after the blooms faded.  When I did add a few, they always found their home in an out-of-the-way, background location of the landscape. 

I still believe annual color is the best choice close to the front door, along the front walks, and key areas around outdoor living spaces.  Annual color is the best way to create a bright, welcoming, and season-long statement in the landscape.  But, more and more, I find myself adding perennials to landscapes.   

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

Perennial plants regrow every spring.

Annual plants live for only one growing season and then die.

Perennials usually have a shorter blooming period compared to annuals.

Great landscapes use a combination of both plants.

There are so many perennial choices.  Books and books have been devoted to perennials.  I have my favorites.  Favorites that have found a home in my landscape, and although none of them add color the entire season, as a group, they do add interest from spring to fall. 

Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera).  The first to welcome spring each year.  Creeping phlox produces a spring-like carpet in pastel hues of white, lavender, red, and pink.  Creeping phlox is a moderate grower that can spread up to 2’ but only reaches 4-6” in height.  It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade each day.  Borders, walls, and around boulders are where it looks best.  In my garden, you will find it cascading over a rock retaining wall. It tolerates most soils as long as it is well drained.  The plant requires little maintenance.  Mites are about the only insect problem it will have.   

Creeping Phlox

Creeping phlox cascading over any landscape wall is a great way to say “hello” to spring.

Dianthus

Dianthus and Salvia planted along a flagstone walkway.

Creeping Phlox

Creeping Phlox

Dianthus (Dianthus).   It works well as a border, in small groupings, around boulders, or as a single plant reaching 10-15” tall with a spread of 12-24”.  They bloom in late spring to early summer in rose, pink, white, and red.  They prefer areas where they will receive at least 6 hours of full sun each day but will tolerate some dappled shade or afternoon shade.  Just like creeping phlox, they are a cool season lover.  They will grow in most soils, prefer alkaline soils, but waterlogged soil will cause crown and root rot.   Heavy mulching near the crown of the plant can be detrimental. Late March through April and into May is the peak bloom time.  Light feeding in the spring with a complete fertilizer of phosphorus, potassium, and low nitrogen is recommended.  Other than an occasional aphid or powdery mildew issue, they do not have many problems.  There are more than 300 varieties of dianthus to choose from.  My all-time favorite is ‘Firewitch’.  It has a silver-green foliage and a vibrant pink bloom. One shortcoming – it is not uncommon for them to thrive for a few years and then gradually decline, so you may need to replant every 3-4 years.  I have found this true with the dianthus planted in my front landscape, but at the same time, I have a planting of dianthus in my back landscape that has overperformed for at least 10 years running.

Dianthus

‘May Night’ Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris).  Sage-type flower spikes of deep bluish-purple that will add color in April, May and early June. The best flower show will be in full sun, but it will tolerate a little dappled shade each day.  The plant grows 12-18” tall with flower spikes reaching 24”.  The plant looks great in the middle of the garden planted behind creeping phlox or dianthus, and in front of Shasta daisy or Black-eyed Susan.  The leaves often become tattered later in the summer. Keep faded blooms removed to maximize bloom period and pruning the plants after blooming may result in a few fall blooms. In the early spring, before new growth emerges, remove the dormant foliage.  Salvia tolerates clay soils but will struggle with root rot if the soil stays saturated. 

Cutting Salvia back after it has finished blooming for the season.

From April through early June you can count on May Night Salvia adding deep blue to purple spikes of color to the landscape.

Pink Dianthus, May Night Salvia with Gold Moneywort ground cover.

Daylily (Hemerocallis).  There are over 80,000 varieties of daylily.  They come in nearly every color and shade of color you can imagine, ranging 10-36” tall and 12-24” wide.  Depending on the variety, blooms start in early summer and extend into late summer with a successive blooming habit that lasts 4-6 weeks. They also are one of the most adaptable plants.  They are very cold-hardy and very heat tolerant.  They are happy in almost every soil condition; clay, loam, dry, wet, and low nutrient.  They prefer full sun but will bloom in partial shade.  With a clump-type growth, they are dynamic planted in a mass grouping.  Leave dormant foliage until new foliage emerges in the spring.  Fertilize in early spring and again in early summer.  Clumps can be divided every 3-5 years in the fall.  Remove spent flower stocks to encourage more blooms.  The most common yellow daylily is ‘Stella de’ Oro’.  ‘Pardon Me’ is a great red daylily.  Planting daylilies behind liriope (monkey grass) will help cover up the unattractive foliage as it begins to fade in late summer.  Look around, daylilies started putting on their early summer show this week.

‘May Night’ Salvia

‘May Night’ Salvia

May Night Salvia

Daylily

Daylight

Red Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan and Shasta Daisy

Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum x superbum).  Classic daisy appearance of white petals around a yellow center.  They grow in clumps 1-2’ wide and 2-3’ tall.  Best if planted in fertile soil that drains well.  The more sun they receive the more they will bloom.  Shasta Daisies start blooming in early summer and can last until early fall.  They make great cut flowers.  Keeping the faded blooms cut will extend the color show.  After the foliage goes dormant in late fall, cut the stems back to 1-2”.  They respond well to light fertilizer in the spring.  Daisies perform best if they are divided every 3-5 years.  Considered a low-maintenance plant, aphids are about the only insect you may see.  ‘Becky’ is a favorite variety.

Daylily and Shasta Daisy

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia grandiflora).  Daisy-like golden-yellow flower petals surround a dark brown or black center reaching 2-4’ and spreading 2’.   The large flower blooms (2-4”) will be arriving in the next few weeks and will continue into July.   And, if you keep spent blooms trimmed off, you will get a few blooms in the fall. Plant in sun to partial shade.  As a native prairie plant, you will find it to be low maintenance.  It tolerates most soils but prefers well-drained.  Because of its height, plant in the middle of a bed or as a background to lower perennials, similar to dianthus or salvia. The plant can be divided every 3-5 years.  Remove dormant foliage anytime in the fall or winter.  It can develop powdery mildew if in too much shade.  Minimal feeding is required.  Keep a watch out for occasional aphid problems. 

One of the best late summer blooming perennials is Black-eyed Susan.

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan

Because of its height, plant in the middle of a bed or as a background to lower perennials, such as dianthus or salvia. The plant can be divided every 3-5 years. Remove dormant foliage anytime in the fall or winter. It can develop powdery mildew if in too much shade. Minimal feeding is required. Keep a watch out for occasional aphid problem.

Coneflower

One of the longer blooming summer perennials is Coneflower.

Coneflower

Coneflower (Echinacea).  A native prairie plant with purple or white blooms 2-4” in diameter.    Just like black-eyed Susan it reaches 2-4’ in height and spreads out 2-3’ and makes a good show planted in the back or sides of the garden.  But it also works well as a single specimen.  Plant in sun to partial shade.  It is one of the longest summer bloomers with a show that lasts 5-8 weeks. The coarse texture of the leaves makes them well-suited near softer-textured plants such as ornamental grasses.  It enjoys well-drained, fertile soil.  Removing faded flowers will encourage more blooms.  Remove dead foliage in the winter.  Coneflower is fairly disease tolerant and responds to feeding early in the growing season, and also likes to be mulched.

Hardy Verbena (Verbena).  This low-growing (4-6”) spreading (2-3’) perennial thrives in the summer heat while producing purple, pink, red, or white blooms.  Verbena is not picky about soil type but requires full sun.  When it gets more than 2-3 hours of shade per day, its biggest problem is powdery mildew disease increases.  The low-growing nature makes it perfect for the front of beds, along walks, and cascading over walls and slopes.  It also looks great in pots and window boxes.  Good drainage and fertile soils are needed and with consistent irrigation blooms and spread will increase. Feed in spring and after the first flush of heavy blooms.  Don’t fertilize after July.  Verbena likes mulch to insulate roots and hold in moisture.  Sheering the plant just below spent blooms will encourage growth and more flowering.  My favorite variety is ‘Homestead Purple’. 

Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum x moratorium).  Typically thought of as an annual, they make a great perennial for fall color with shades of pink, red, white, and yellow.  Plant height and width are both 1-3’ resulting typically in a round shape.  They produce a wonderful burst of color for 2-4 weeks in late September and October.  Mums will tolerate light shade but prefer full sun.  To survive the winter as a perennial they need moisture and good drainage. Therefore, add an ample amount of compost when planting in our clay soils.  Dormant foliage can be removed anytime during the winter or in the spring when new growth emerges.  Mums will bloom a little in the spring or early summer.  Once the early blooms fade, keep the plant sheared to the shape and height you prefer.  Stop shearing after the first of July.  When you shear a mum during the last half of the summer, you are removing the flower buds for the fall.

Hosta (Hosta).  Monrovia.com lists over 78 varieties of hosta.  This shade to partial sun loving plant is perfect for adding brightness to shady areas.  Varieties range in size, but 12-14” tall and 30” wide is common.  They prefer organic soil and regular watering when it is hot.  Their leafy appearance is a great companion to ground covers.  Monrovia calls them “the potato chip of plants…once you have one and watch how it lights up the shade you will want another.”  One of my favorites is ‘Patriot’.  I dare you to plant just one. 

Hosta x 'Patriot' is a compact variety with large glossy green foliage with gleaming white edges.

King Ostrich Fern

Fern.  Excellent for shade gardens and damp areas. They require frequent watering, especially in the summer heat.  There are many varieties but for most gardens, ones that grow 18-30” with a 24” spread, are best.  They are an easy-going plant that adds texture to the landscape.  It is a great plant for filling in bare areas in the shade.  Matteuccia struthiopteris ‘The King’ is a favorite Ostrich fern. 

Coral Bells (Heuchera).  A great shade companion to hosta and caladium, this perennial will also be happily planted in a little more sun.  It makes a great border, a mass grouping, or plant a single plant as an accent.  There are many varieties with colorful foliage to choose from.  ‘Palace Purple’ has deep purple foliage which looks great planted with ‘Patriot’ Hosta. 

Coral Bell 'Palace Purple' planted as an accent with fern in a shady raised planter.

Gaillardia

The best time to add perennials to your landscape is spring and fall.  But, you can find success adding perennials most anytime; just avoid the hottest days of the summer and the coldest period of the winter.  My favorite time to add perennials is when I am planting my summer color at this time of the year and again in the fall when changing the summer color out for pansies.

A great resource is Monrovia.com. https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/

Another great way to learn more about perennials is to take monthly walks through the Myriad Garden and Scissortail Park to see what is currently in bloom.

What are your favorite perennials? 

We are always on the lookout for new ideas.

Text or email us a few pictures of perennials blooming in your landscape!       

Lorne Hall

Hall | Stewart Lawn + Landscape

(405)367-3873