I just seem to be giving you more things to do each time I write this, but maybe you pick the things you like to do or want to do like a menu ... at least I’m trying to keep you up to speed.
So now we are into August, and last week I mentioned thinning or dividing bearded iris. August is also the month to move or divide peonies, both standard and fern leaf peonies.
When you get to replanting the tubers, it is important that you not plant them too deep or too shallow. The eyes for next year’s growth have to be within one inch of the soil surface. If they are planted too deep, they will grow but they will not bloom.
Another factor to remember is that they will bloom best if they are planted where they will receive direct sun for a minimum of six hours per day. Plants get their energy from the sun, and without the energy, you will not get the flowers.
Daylilies can also be divided now. Daylilies are fast multipliers, and if the clumps get too dense you will not get the quantity of flowers they have the potential to give, and we want full potential! I use a flat bottom spade to cut through the center of the clump and remove half. If the clump is really large, I cut through the remaining half again so I am only leaving one-fourth of the original plant. Fill in with new soil where you did the removal and you’re good to go.
This size reduction is good to do every 3 to 5 years. If you wait until spring to do this task, you will probably sacrifice the flowers for that year ... doing it late in summer avoids that problem.
My onion tops are falling over, indicating that they are finished growing. As soon as those tops dry, get them out of the ground and inside where you can finish the drying process. If allowed to stay in the soil, they can develop neck rot, which will destroy the bulb. Be sure the tops are totally dry before you trim them off.
I dry mine inside on wire racks where they are out of the sun. After 4 to 5 weeks, they are ready for storage.