August is an ideal time for gardeners to give their plants a boost into the later stages of growth. Many people who are just learning how to garden at home overlook the benefits of fertilizing their plants.
Make the last fertilizer application before July 1.
New growth also needs time to "harden off" before winter. Tender new growth is at risk of cold injury if it is forced late in the season, when plants and trees should be shutting down for winter.
Several great products are available if you're wondering what fertilizer to use in August and July. Some of the best include Scotts Summer Lawn Food and Milorganite, but make sure that you don't use "weed and feed" products during the summer. Irrigation is more critical than fertilizer in the summer.
Perennial flowers are a bit different than annuals. They generally require less fertilization and since they often slow down growth in autumn to prepare for dormancy, fertilization should be avoided after late summer.
Michigan State University Extension advises to not fertilize perennials in late summer or early fall. This may cause the plants to flush-out additional growth that will not harden-off in time for an early winter freeze.
Timing: Apply fall lawn fertilizer once between August and November, right before winter hits, 6 to 8 weeks after the summer feeding.
Don't fertilize plants or trees during hot summer months
During hot spells, it is especially hard to keep up with plant water and nutrient needs as soils dry out quickly and water may not be readily available. Save your plants (and yourself!) from stress by stopping fertilizer application before hot weather hits.
As a general rule of thumb, you will usually fertilize perennial plants at least twice a year: in the early spring when new growth begins to emerge, and again in early fall. Too, any time you cut a perennial back during the active growing season, a feeding is usually beneficial.
Fertilize your plants, shrubs, trees and lawn to stimulate root growth, which will help your plants survive the winter and recover earlier in the springs. Fertilize perennials in the early fall for extended life. Fertilize trees and shrubs in the late fall to give them a boost before the winter.
August is an ideal time for gardeners to give their plants a boost into the later stages of growth. Many people who are just learning how to garden at home overlook the benefits of fertilizing their plants.
General tips. Avoid applying fertilizers when plants are dormant or under heat and drought stress. Fertilizers should be incorporated into the soil to prevent losses. If you cannot physically incorporate a fertilizer at this point in the season, it may be best to stick with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Here's one gardening task you shouldn't do in late August. The end of August is not the time to fertilize roses, hydrangeas, fruit trees or shrubs. Feeding plants at the end of the growing season can stimulate new growth that can be burned by an early frost.
Apply Low-Nitrogen Fertilizer
Whereas nitrogen-rich fertilizers are appropriate for the early springtime green-up and growth, as we just mentioned, they can cause further stress to lawns in the summer and even cause burns. That's why low-nitrogen fertilizer is a great option for summer lawns.
Perennials that require no fertilizer: Included are ornamental grasses, false indigo, ground covers, butterfly weed, bee balm, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, sea holly, dianthus, asters and veronica.
Vegetable gardeners can fertilize their garden beds about once a month with a quick-release fertilizer or about once a season with a slow-release fertilizer. Some gardeners prefer to feed their flowers and plants with a liquid-soluble plant food once every one to two weeks.
No matter which fall gardening project you choose, be sure to make plant roots super-happy by using Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix (for containers) or Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs (for in-ground).
The exact timing for when you should fertilize your lawn in the fall varies based on weather conditions and climate zone. In most regions, October is not too late for fall fertilizer, and you can even put fall fertilizer down in November in many places.
Fall is the best and most important time to fertilize your lawn because: Fall's morning dew delivers moisture to help turf absorb the fertilizer. The grass has a chance to build stamina before a chilly winter. Supporting root growth in fall leads to a healthier, greener lawn in spring.
Beginning late summer and through September and into early October is a great time to fertilize many plants. This includes lawns, young trees, shrubs that need to grow more leaves and groundcovers that need to spread and cover. Pecan trees loaded with nuts can benefit from a fertilizing with nitrogen in August.
Broadcasting a slow release fertilizer is the best choice to meet season-long plant nutrient requirements, but you can also use a balanced fertilizer such as 20-5-10. If your soil test indicates that you do not need phosphorous, choose a product such as 20-0-10.
Water and Feed Your Perennials
You can easily water and feed at the same time with Miracle-Gro® Liquafeed®. When watering, avoid perennials' leaves to prevent disease, and aim for a soil consistency that is neither too wet nor too dry.
*Don't fertilize in hot weather. Excess growth, lots of stems and leaves will outgrow the root system and create stress as the roots try to maintain the plant.
Feeding in the early summer helps strengthen the lawn so it can better withstand the heat and drought conditions that summer is famous for. Scotts® Turf Builder® releases its nutrients slowly over time, making it the go-to fertilizer for all grass types.
Applying either fertilizer or weed killer when it's hot out can damage your lawn. You're better off waiting until later in summer to fertilize. Extension offers a handy calendar for when to do what to your lawn here: extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lawn-care-calendar .