Work outdoors in early morning or evening to avoid excess heat.

Water early in the morning to cut down on disease.

Cut off faded blooms (deadhead). Pinch back fall annuals.

Shear ground covers and rock garden plants.

Dig up irises. Check for borers and root rot. Divide and replant after dusting with a fungicide.

Take stem cutting of ground cover plants for propagation.

Weed regularly.

Water beds thoroughly as needed. Water roses to soil depth of 18 inches.

Check and replace mulch as needed.

Harvest flowers for indoor display.

Fertilize centipede if not done already - do NOT feed after August 1st.

Plant fall-flowering bulbs.

If centipede lawns look yellow at this time of year, it may need iron, especially if your fertilizer does not contain this element. For quick greening, spray the lawn with liquid iron in the late afternoon. It will green up in a few days!