Video: August Garden Tasks

Well, the good news is that was able to shoot a video this week! In it, discuss important and helpful garden tasks to do this month.

The bad news is that the Spokane wildfires are continuing but the firefighters are making good headway. And many evacuated folks have been able to return to their homes or neighborhoods. So that’s a start. In the past few days, our air quality has been slowly improving down into the “unhealthy” category. But at least that’s some progress.

Fortunately, this morning, it was a bit better and I could even see some blue skies. So I quickly shot my video and am hoping you’ll find it helpful.

Here are the types of garden tasks I covered:

1. Watering smart so your plants will stay healthy and productive during this hot time of year.
2. Keeping a close eye on your containers. I love growing both flowers and veggies in pots but have to remind myself to frequently check their moisture. All it takes is a poke of the finger into the soil – about an inch – and see how it feels.
3. Using mulch in your garden beds to help the soil conserve its moisture.
4. Protecting some crops from hot temperatures through the use of shade cloth. If you see plants struggling, that just might be what they need.
5. Keeping up with the weeds. Yeah, not every gardener’s favorite task but it’s definitely worth it.
6. The importance of monitoring your garden on a regular basis.
7. Keeping up with your veggie harvests. Sometimes that can seem overwhelming but hey, isn’t that why you planted them?
8. Giving your vegetable plants a monthly fertilizing, esp. in August when conditions are so stressful.
9. Deadheading your flowers so they’ll continue to bloom for you. And why there are certain flowers I don’t deadhead.
10. Providing fresh, clean water for your bird friends.
11. And last but not least, starting new plants to grow in the fall. Well, actually once the temperatures start getting cooler. You don’t have to wait for fall to occasionally get here! You’ll see what I’ve been growing under some grow lights in our basement.

OK, so that’s quite a bit of material but I was able to breeze through all of them in about 8 minutes. I had two goals for this August garden tasks video: be brief and to the point, and get back inside!

Here’s my new video:

Did you find it helpful? I hope so. And I really meant what I said about being appreciative of all of the folks who were checking on us. That has been the one bright spot during these distressing times.

Here’s a direct link to my YouTube channel, if you’d like to see more of my videos. And maybe I should add that this particular video was my 680th! Isn’t that crazy? But hey, gardening is my passion and I want everyone to be successful.

Take care, everyone.