The August Preview

What a beautiful weekend we had here in central Indiana. Hopefully many of you got outside and spent some time in the garden before the heat settled back in — weekends like that are a good reminder of why we love this so much.

We’ve also entered one of the driest stretches of the summer. Annual containers get watered every day, but established landscape plants can quietly become stressed without showing it — perennials wilt in the afternoon, trees drop leaves early, and shrubs start conserving water long before they look unhealthy. If rain stays scarce, don’t forget the plants that are easiest to overlook. A deep soak once a week beats a quick daily sprinkle, especially for newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennial beds still building their roots.

And as August approaches, it’s the perfect time for a little mid-season maintenance. Fresh fertilizer, a trim on anything leggy, and removing spent flowers can completely change how a garden looks through the rest of summer.

This week’s lineup:

· The easiest way to bring tired containers back to life — recharging with Osmocote
· A fascinating annual we found at Cultivate and hope to grow in 2027 — meet Jamesbrittenia
· Behind the scenes: how chrysanthemums know exactly when it’s time to bloom