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Real Homes

Knowing what flowers to plant in August isn't always so clear-cut. But that's why we called in help from pro planters —here's what they said to pot.

The 7 flowers to plant in August, according to gardening gurus

With many regions experiencing heat waves, August in the garden is a time for trimming crispy stems, plucking spent annuals, and deadheading perennials to encourage a late-season flush of flowers. Many plants are still in full swing or at least gearing up for their late summer and early fall burst of energy.

17 Perennials to Plant in August

Lawn looking crispy and dead in hot, dry summer weather? Don’t worry, it’s supposed to. Lush, green lawns are such inviting places to play and relax. Come outside, they seem to say. Bring a cold drink and kick back in the hammock. But keeping grass so lush and green often requires fertilizers, pesticides, and water—lots and lots of water. Ready for a shock? A 2005 NASA-led study found that in most U.S. regions, 50 to 75% of a home’s total water usage is for lawn irrigation.1 This also may surprise you: You probably don’t actually need to water your grass much at all, and you definitely don’t need to triple (or more!) how much you water in summer. Besides helping to conserve water, you can save quite a bit of money and time by avoiding unnecessary lawn irrigation.

Is Your Grass Turning Brown in Summer? Our Experts Say It’s Totally OK

The Independent

 Stunning new images of the moon have been beamed back to Earth from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Juice mission showing some sign of real colour differences on the lunar surface.On Monday night the spacecraft began performing a the first ever fly-by of its kind on a shortcut to Jupiter via Venus.First it used the moon’s gravity, and then on Tuesday night it will use the Earth’s, as a natural brake – slowing itself down and then sling-shotting on to the next phase of its journey.During this risky manoeuvre, Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) managed to capture some pictures...

New stunning images of the moon taken during first ever fly-by

House Digest

This gardening hack will help transform your struggling sedum into healthy, full plants with lots of robust foliage and long-lasting flowers.

Try This Trick To Make Your Sedum Plants Fuller And Longer-Blooming

Livingetc

Fill your yard with nature's best fragrances with this expert's top picks for sensational-smelling trees

5 Fragrant Trees That Will Make Your Backyard Smell Amazing — What Experts Plant for Beauty and Scent

While lush green grass is popular, it can be difficult to maintain—especially if your yard doesn't get a lot of sun. If you're tired of looking at bald patches in your landscape where grass won't grow, there are plenty of lawn alternatives that thrive in partial to full shade. From options with grass-like foliage to flowering ground covers, you don't need access to sunlight to create the landscape of your dreams. Ahead, we're sharing the best grass alternatives that experts say will flourish in shady lawns.

14 Grass Alternatives That Thrive in Shady Yards

The abundant, round blooms of hydrangeas are a classic sight of summer. Their blue, pink, and purple flowers are a cheerful and reliable perennial that seems to quickly sprout out of nothing but bare sticks in spring. But after the bloom season is over, you've probably seen gardeners cut hydrangeas...

Is It Too Late to Cut Back Hydrangeas? Why Waiting Might Risk Next Year's Blooms

If you’ve ever tried growing lots of tomatoes at once, you know that tomato cages can get pricey quickly. However, using the Florida weave for tomatoes is a DIY trellising method that is budget-friendly, easy to install, and extremely sturdy. You can use it for both determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties and it will keep your bumper crop secure all season. Use this step-by-step guide to try the Florida weave for tomatoes.

Florida Weave for Tomatoes: 7 Steps to Perfectly Trellis Your Plants

Fireflies can make your backyard feel a little bit magical. These bioluminescent beetles are found all over the world, but in the U.S., they're found west of the Rocky Mountains. Also called lightning bugs, they emerge in spring or summer, earlier in the south and later in the Northeast U.S. and Midwest.

7 Ways to Attract Fireflies to Your Yard Right Now for Beautiful Summer Nights

When hydrangeas burst into glorious bloom, it’s easy to understand why we want to capture that beauty and bring it into our homes. Unfortunately, hydrangeas are notorious for wilting quickly once cut, and keeping them looking fresh can prove difficult. Here, we asked hydrangea experts to share their best tips for reviving cut hydrangeas and prolonging their blooms.

How to Revive Hydrangeas and Prolong Their Beautiful Blooms

Bring home an autumnal harvest of flowers with these expert-approved picks

7 Fall Flowers to Plant in Your Raised Beds — To Fill Your Yard With Autumnal Color

Mary Lukins, 59, could not use the toilet or bath because water would not drain

Disabled woman forced to clean with wet wipes for year after ‘cowboy builders’ abandoned renovation

Hydrangeas are beloved and popular for their stunning colorful blooms that peak in the spring, summer, and even into the early fall. It's not a question of their beauty, but a question of how to help them thrive. Are hydrangeas easy to grow in full sun, or do they prefer more shade?

Do Hydrangeas Need Full Sun? 4 Expert-Backed Tips for Beautiful Blooms

Knowing How and When to Deadhead Hydrangeas will definitely help you have more flowers throughout the season!. Deadheading your hydrangea blooms can help your plant use its energy to produce more flowers and new growth. This is why it is essential to know how to do it the right way, which is what this article is about.

How and When to Deadhead Hydrangeas for More Flowers

Mississippi State

Tusk offers rare window into Columbian mammoths that once roamed modern-day Mississippi, scientists say

Amateur fossil hunter uncovers 7ft-long fully intact giant mammoth tusk near Mississippi stream

The chain also benefited from increased demand for foreign currency and stronger gold prices.

H&T bolstered by pawnbroking as more people seek quick loans

 Madeira’s flights are returning to a normal schedule after wildfires caused delays, cancellations and diversions.The fires that broke out around six days ago in the rural area of Ribeira Brava continued to blaze through 3,000 hectares of forest to the neighbouring municipality of Camara de Lobos and close to the popular beach area of Ponta do Sol.As the fire service tried to tame the fires, around 160 people were evacuated on Sunday out of the affected areas as a precaution. So far, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.The Portuguese island is a popular holiday destination for tourists in...

Tourists left stranded at Madeira Airport after flights cancelled due to wildfires

 Staff at a Hampshire zoo are mourning the death of a 16-year-old snow leopard which had to be put down after its health deteriorated with old age.The decision was taken at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, to euthanise the elderly female called Irina which had been on a geriatric care plan.A zoo spokeswoman said: “This is a very sad time for everyone at Marwell, particularly so soon after the death of Bagai, our male Amur tiger, and Makeda the female giraffe.”Laura Read, chief executive of Marwell Wildlife, said: “We do have, within a large variety of species, some aged animals...

Snow leopard Irina put down at Marwell Zoo after health deteriorates

The Guardian

Appearance of dark crimson underwing causes excitement on land that would be bisected by road scheme

Rare moth found in Cambridgeshire orchard threatened by busway plan

Create a holiday haven for your plants and they will prosper, says Sam Wylie-Harris.

How to keep your greenery thriving during late-summer getaways

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