Check hoses and sprinklers for holes and leaks from damage and wear. Replace or repair as needed to conserve water.
Buy hoses with lifetime warranties. Use a permanent marker to write the name of the store where the hose was purchased. That way, you can just take the hose to the store for easy exchange if needed.
Use hoses that have a diameter of 5/8 inch instead of 1/2 inch. The bigger hoses work better. Use hoses made from recycled materials.
Last call to prune azaleas. These shrubs will begin producing flower buds for spring in a couple of weeks. So get out there this weekend and prune the azaleas.
Now is a good time to spray annuals, perennials and container gardens with some liquid fertilizer. Use at half the recommended strength.
Pinch back mums. This encourages bushy growth and delays flowering.
Replenish mulches around the garden. Do this to conserve moisture and control weeds.
Gardenias often get black sooty mold on the leaves during the hot, humid summer months. This fungus looks like soot is covering the leaf. Although ugly, it rarely kills the shrub. Try spraying with a fungicide.
Plant pumpkin seeds now and have jack-o-lanterns this Halloween.
Todd Goulding can be reached at GouldingDesignGroup@gmail.com 345-0719.
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