• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Open Easter Sunday 10a-3p
  • 713-861-5702
  • Location

Buchanan's Native PlantsBuchanan's Native Plants

Houston's favorite garden center devoted to Texas native plants and organic gardening.

Hide Search
Buchanan's Logo
  • Plants
        • Gift Card
        • Spread the love of gardening with your friends and family. Purchase a Buchanan’s gift card here!

        • Plants Overview
        • Annuals
        • Cacti and Succulents
        • Citrus and Fruit
        • Herbs and Vegetables
        • House Plants
        • Perennials
        • Roses
        • Shrubs
        • Texas Natives
        • Trees
        • Vines
  • Lawn and Garden
        • Outdoor garden with pergola
        • Dedicated to native plants and organic gardening,  we are experienced in helping customers create a lovely outdoor setting with the best quality native plants and environmentally safe organic products available today.

        • Lawn and Garden
        • Soils, Mulch and Amendments
        • Fertilizer
        • Garden Tools and Accessories
        • Pest, Weed and Fungus control
        • Birding
  • House and Home
        • wisteria
        • From entryways to vase fillers, we’ve curated a selection of unique home decor, and fashion items from around the world.  We believe your home should be as beautiful as your garden and with Buchanan’s — it’s easy for your style to blossom.

        • Boutique

        • House and Home
        • Fashion and Fragrance
        • Indoor Gardening
        • Kids
        • Purchase a gift card
        • Outdoor Living

        • Fountains
        • Outdoor Decor
        • Pottery
  • Shop Online
    • Purchase plants
    • Purchase a gift card
    • Gift Card Ordering Information
  • Resources
        • Buchanan's How To Video
        • Tips and Resources

          Resources to help you create the garden of your dreams. From how-to videos, monthly tips, and a comprehensive plant library – explore what Buchanan’s has to offer.

        • Gardening Articles
        • Gardening Calendar
        • Gardening Guides
        • Gardeners’ Rewards
        • Helpful Resources
        • How to Videos
        • Plant Library
        • Soil and Mulch Calculator
  • News
    • This Week at Buchanan’s
    • Events, Seminars, and Workshops
  • About
        • Buchanan’s Native Plants has been serving Houston gardeners since 1986. Located in the historic Houston Heights, the garden center is dedicated to native plants and organic gardening.  You will find the best selections of hardy natives as well as perennials, herbs, vegetables, trees, shrubs & roses — all suited to the Houston climate.

        • About Us
          • Buchanan’s History
        • Our Team
        • Careers
        • Donation Request
        • FAQ
        • Contact Us
  • Show Search

August

GARDENING TO-DO LIST

Home » Blog » Houston gardening by the month » August

Hummingbirds

  • Hummingbirds are here!!  Migrating hummingbirds can be found at your feeders and natural nectar sources.  Keeping feeders clean, filled and in a shady area will encourage visitors.  Check out our ‘Hummingbird Book’ in the Bungalow for useful information and identification.
  • Recipe for Nectar: • Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 1 cup of granulated sugar, stir until dissolved. • Allow to cool, fill feeders.  Keep excess sealed in refrigerator.
  • Natural nectar sources for hummingbirds include turk’s cap, hamelia, shrimp plant, firespike, salvia, lobelia (cardinal flower), Pride of Barbados, anisacanthus, and cigar plants.  These are all hummer magnets.

Planting

Plant transplants for tomatoes and peppers now.  Keep young plants protected from intense midday heat by placing cages over plants and clothes pinning newspaper or cardboard at the second rung level.  This temporary shade device can be removed once plants reach height of the cardboard; they are established.

Seeds to plant now include cucumbers, calendula, snapdragon and alyssum. Plan for the fall vegetable garden and choose seeds for planting next month.  Shop for Botanical Interests seeds in the racks at the outside checkout.

Fertilizing & Mulching

Mulch, mulch, mulch.  Mulching keeps plant roots cooler and weed seeds at bay.  Apply 3” deep around trees and shrubs.  The Ground Up Native Hardwood Mulch is our favorite.  Add compost around annuals, herbs, and vegetables.  Remember: never pile mulch against the base of a plant.

For preparing fall gardens, top dress with 2-4” of organic matter: compost like Happy Frog Soil Conditioner and Nature’s Way Leaf Mold Compost are great choices.  A layer of pine straw will keep weeds at bay until seeds or transplants have been placed.

Feed the soil.  Medina Plus and MicroLife Humates Plus actually feed the micro-organisms in the soil which improves soil quality and reduces compaction, in turn increase water holding capabilities.  Healthy plants start with healthy soil.

Use seaweed spray such as Microlife Seaweed to boost the immune system of plants.  A healthy plant is more resistant to insect infestations and fungal problems.  A spray-down every two weeks that covers the entire surface of all leaves will do the job.

Water

Continue slow, deep watering to encourage proper root growth and prevent runoff.  Watering longer and less often encourages deep root growth and healthier plants.  Soaker hoses or a regular hose turned on to a slow drip are good ways to do this.

Pests

Keep an eye on lawns to spot problems early and treat accordingly.  Insects such as chinch bugs (treat with EcoSmart granules or diatomaceous earth) and fungi such as grey leaf spot (treat with MicroGro Granule) are two things to watch out for.  All of these organic products can be found in our plant care shed.

View Previous or Next Month
  • Link to previous monthJuly
  • |
  • Link to next monthSeptember

Filed Under: Houston gardening by the month

Gift Cards

Buy a gift card for yourself or someone else — use it in the store or online.

Buy now

Store Address and Hours

Buchanan’s Native Plants
611 East 11th Street
Houston, Texas 77008

713-861-5702

Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Open Every Day – Monday – Sunday

Stay in touch

Receive our weekly newsletter containing the latest specials, up-coming events and seminars.

* indicates required

Connect on Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Tiktok

We love your garden®

Copyright © 1999 - 2023 Buchanan's Native Plants, All Rights Reserved.

  • Return Policy
  • Privacy Policy