I hate the month of August. There are no holidays to celebrate. It’s the end of summer. And for many, it’s time to begin thinking about back to school, which, for parents is a celebration in itself, but for the kids, is a dreaded event!
One thing that does brighten my summer days however, are the beautiful flowers that are in full bloom right now. For the past week or so, we’ve been getting a little rain shower most evenings, and the nights have been cooler. Boy has my garden responded! The annuals are perkier, we can’t keep up with the squash, and the perennials are positively magnificent!
If you haven’t planted perennials during this time of year, it’s a great time to do so. The ground is warm from the summer sun and the nights are beginning to cool off, lessening the transplant shock that they’d normally experience if planted at other times. It also gives them a chance to root in and become well established before the snow flies. The things that are looking best right now are Black Eyed Susans, Phlox, Coneflowers, and the Ice Plants. Fire Spinner, a new Ice Plant, is especially pretty right now!
Don’t forget the insect control too! The winter was mild and the critters seem to be rampant this year!
