• Rejuvenate heat-stressed geraniums and begonias for the fall season by lightly pruning, fertilizing, and watering.

• Caladiums require plenty of water this time of year if they are to remain lush and attractive until fall. Fertilize with ammonium sulfate at the rate of 1/3 to 1/2 pound per 100 square feet of bed area, and water thoroughly.

• Don't allow plants with green fruit or berries to suffer from lack of moisture. Hollies will frequently drop their fruit under drought conditions.

• Remove weak, unproductive growth from crepe myrtles and roses to stimulate new growth for fall beauty.

  The herb Borage planted now will be a source of bee food in the spring

  
  

• Lightly prune and deadhead zinnias, marigolds, salvias and other color producing plants to stimulate continued flowering. Prune out dead or diseased wood from trees and shrubs. Hold off on major pruning until midwinter. Pruning now may stimulate tender new growth prior to frost.

• Sow seeds of snapdragons, pinks, pansies, and other winter flowers in flats for planting outside during mid to late fall.

• Prepare the beds for spring-flowering bulbs as soon as possible. It is important to cultivate the soil and add generous amounts of organic matter to improve water drainage. Bulbs will rot without proper drainage.

• Continue a disease spray schedule on roses, as blackspot and mildew can be extremely damaging in September and October.

• Christmas cactus can be made to flower by supplying 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness and cool nights (55 degrees F) for a month, starting in mid-October. Keep plants on the dry side for a month prior to the treatment.

• Plan to sow wildflowers in early September and October. Check supplies now and order seed for planting in open sunny areas. Consider bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, coneflowers, firewheels, black-eyed Susans, evening primroses, and many others. Soils should be lightly cultivated prior to planting.

• Divide spring flowering perennials such as irises, Shasta daisies, gaillardias, cannas, daylilies, violets, liriopes, and ajugas.