DIY Pro-tip: If it has been 3-5 years since your last soil test, collect a soil sample and have it tested. The results should guide your compost applications and fertilization activities for the next 3-5 years.

Trees and Shrubs
* Fertilize your trees and shrubs in late July or early August at the rate of about 1 lbs. Nitrogen/1,000sq. ft. If you've already fertilized your lawn or if your trees are drought stressed, skip fertilizing.

* Start to cut back on watering your trees, shrubs, and perennials as this will help push them into dormancy and improve their survival.

DIY Pro-tip: A fertilizer with a ratio of 3-1-1 or 3-1-2 and a low salt index is generally
recommended. Apply a light application of fertilizer starting 18" out from the trunk and fertilize to the drip line of the tree (or 10 ft. of radius for every 1" of trunk caliper at breast height). Scratch fertilizer into the soil and/or water heavily. Be sure to avoid late applications of fertilizer.
 

Flowers, Ground Covers, Perennials, and Ornamental Grasses
* Deadhead and weed as needed.

* Fertilize your flowerbeds in late August at the rate of about 0.5 lbs. Nitrogen/1,000 sq. ft.

DIY Pro-tip: A slow release 5-10-5 fertilizer is generally recommended. Apply fertilizer in bands 3-4" away from the crowns of plants and scratch fertilizer into the soil. Be sure to avoid getting fertilizer granules on your foliage. Don't fertilize if soil organic matter levels are above 5%.

Lawns
* Fertilize cool season turf in mid-August to mid-September with 0.5-1.0 lbs Nitrogen/1,000 sq. ft. If you have a sandy soil, make this your final fertilizer application for the year.
 

Vegetables
* Plant your cool-season crops now for a bountiful fall harvest in mid- to late August.