Flyaway butterfly bushes
If your butterfly bushes have grown out of control, cut them back halfway now and fertilize with a liquid feed. They will be putting out new flowers in a couple of weeks and continue well into the fall.
Keep deadheading
Keep deadheading your perennials. Energy which is used to make seeds means less energy for root production for next year in perennials and fewer flowers for annuals. Some exceptions to the deadheading rule are plants such as California poppies and spider flower which need to reseed themselves around the garden. People who enjoy feeding the birds may want to leave their purple coneflower and black-eyed Susan seed heads for the finches.
Making more moss
Moss can be a blessing or a curse in the garden depending on where it is. Moss on sidewalks can be a hazard, but bleach will kill it quickly. If you like the look of moss in the garden, try creating a moss garden. Put live moss and some buttermilk or yogurt in a blender and puree it. Spread the resulting mixture where you would like to grow your moss. Make sure it is shady and receives plenty of moisture. Once you have some moss established, fertilize it twice per year with a mixture of beer and buttermilk.
Help build a park
The city of Norfolk has partnered with KaBoom!, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities build safe, fun playgrounds, and The Chrysler Foundation to build a playground in the Denby Park community. This site will become a new city park open to all neighborhood children. The plan is to build a playground in one day and volunteers are needed. Construction skills are not necessary. It will take place at 352 San Antonio Ave. in Norfolk on Aug. 21 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. To get more information and to volunteer, call Melinda Luchun (757) 823-4210 or e-mail CommunityOutreach@norfolk.gov.
Prepare fall garden
You can start a great fall warm-season garden right now in just a small sunny area. A spot 4 feet wide and 8 feet long is all you need. During August plant snap beans, cucumbers, eggplant, pepper, squash and tomatoes. You can also plant pumpkins and watermelon, but they take up a lot of room.
Mark Weathington is the assistant director of the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, N.C. Reach him at crazyplant@msn.com.
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