Late summer in Ohio brings unique challenges and opportunities for gardeners. As the heat lingers and fall approaches, your garden needs special attention to stay healthy.
Smart gardening now means a stronger finish to the growing season and better preparation for the cooler months ahead.
1. Water Deeply, Not Daily
Proper watering becomes crucial as August heat intensifies. Instead of light daily sprinkles, give your plants a thorough soaking 1-2 times weekly. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making plants more drought-resistant.
Early morning is the ideal watering time, reducing evaporation and fungal disease risks. For container gardens, check moisture levels daily as they dry out faster than in-ground plants.
2. Harvest Regularly To Extend Production
Don’t let those zucchinis and tomatoes linger on the vine! Regular harvesting signals plants to produce more fruit. Even picking every other day can significantly boost your total yield through September.
For herbs like basil and oregano, pinch off flowering tops to prevent the plants from going to seed. Freezing extra produce now means enjoying summer flavors during Ohio’s cold winter months.
3. Mulch To Retain Moisture
August heat can quickly dry out Ohio garden soil. Adding a fresh 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch now helps maintain consistent soil moisture and suppresses late-summer weeds that compete for water. Straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips work wonderfully as mulch materials.
Keep mulch pulled back slightly from plant stems to prevent rot and fungal issues that thrive in late summer humidity.
4. Start Fall Vegetables Now
Late summer is perfect for planting cool-season crops in Ohio! Spinach, lettuce, kale, and radishes thrive when started in August for fall harvest. These crops actually prefer the cooling temperatures of approaching autumn.
Plant seeds slightly deeper than spring plantings to keep them cooler. Providing afternoon shade for seedlings gives them protection during those still-hot August days. A bonus: fall-grown greens often taste sweeter than spring crops!
5. Divide Overcrowded Perennials
Notice iris or daylilies looking cramped? Late summer is ideal for dividing spring and early summer blooming perennials. Splitting overcrowded plants improves airflow, reduces disease risk, and creates free plants for other garden areas.
After dividing, water thoroughly and apply mulch to help new divisions establish before winter. Remember that newly divided plants may need extra attention during dry spells, but they’ll reward you with better blooms next year.
6. Watch For Pest Problems
Late summer brings peak insect activity in Ohio gardens. Check plants regularly for signs of damage, especially tomato hornworms and squash bugs which can devastate crops quickly. Yellow sticky traps help monitor flying pests, while a strong spray of water dislodges many insects.
For serious infestations, consider neem oil or insecticidal soap which control pests while being gentler on beneficial insects than chemical pesticides.
7. Collect Seeds For Next Year
Save money and preserve favorite varieties by collecting seeds now. Marigolds, zinnias, beans, and tomatoes produce easily saved seeds. Wait until seed pods are dry but before they burst open.
Store collected seeds in paper envelopes in a cool, dry place. Label everything immediately – you won’t remember which tomato was which by spring! Many Ohio native plants also produce seeds now that can be scattered in fall for natural germination.
8. Prepare New Garden Beds
Planning to expand next year? Late summer is perfect for preparing new growing areas. The sheet composting method (also called lasagna gardening) works wonderfully now – layer cardboard, leaves, grass clippings, and compost directly over grass.
Ohio’s winter freeze-thaw cycles will break down these materials, creating rich soil by spring. No digging required! Adding a final layer of mulch prevents weeds from taking hold in your future garden space.
9. Prune With Purpose
Selective late summer pruning helps rejuvenate certain plants. Remove spent raspberry canes after fruiting and trim back leggy petunias to encourage fresh growth. Summer-flowering shrubs can get a light shaping once blooms fade.
Avoid heavy pruning of spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs now, as you’ll remove next year’s flower buds. Always use clean, sharp tools to prevent spreading disease among plants during Ohio’s humid late summer conditions.
10. Refresh Container Gardens
Perk up tired container plantings by replacing struggling annuals with fresh fall options. Mums, ornamental kale, and pansies thrive in Ohio’s cooling late summer temperatures and provide color through October.
When refreshing containers, add new slow-release fertilizer to support fall growth. Moving pots to locations with morning sun and afternoon shade helps plants recover from summer stress while preparing them for autumn’s changing light conditions.
11. Plan For Season Extension
Extend your growing season by preparing now for cooler weather. Simple cold frames or floating row covers can protect tender crops when frost threatens, often adding weeks to Ohio’s growing season. Clean and repair any existing season extenders before you need them.
For a quick DIY option, save plastic milk jugs to create mini-greenhouses for individual plants. Installing hoops over beds now makes covering crops much easier when sudden fall frosts are forecast.