August Gardening Tips for the Northeast: Watering Tips

Water plants a few hours before applying pesticides, especially during times of drought. In these conditions, plants have less water in tissues, and as pesticides enter cells, they may burn leaves.

Avoid watering during midday, when more water will evaporate than soak into soil.

It's not uncommon for plants to wilt on hot afternoons even though soil has adequate moisture. The wilting occurs because plants are losing water faster than their roots can absorb it. Leaves should revive by early evening, after the sun is no longer directly on leaves. If not, water deeply.

Some shrubs need weekly deep watering now. Rhododendrons are beginning to form flower buds for next year's show, and adequate water is vital. Fruiting plants, such as hollies and firethorn, need water to ensure berries mature and don't drop.

Test Garden Tip: Water newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials -- any plants you added to your yard last fall or spring. These plants need weekly irrigation to ensure roots establish deeply.

Source: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/gardening-by-region/northeast/august-tips-the-northeast/

Best Time of Day to Mow the Lawn

There are varying opinions on this … Some professionals say it doesn't matter, so long as you do not mow when the ground is very wet, as this can cause damage to the turf, and also rutting if you have a riding mower.  If you are flexible there is an optimal moment for lawn mowing

However, there are some pros that say mid-morning this the optimum time of day to mow the lawn. The logic behind this is that the lawn needs time to heal before evening, that the freshly shorn grass blades are susceptible to fungus and disease and really need the benefit of the day to dry and heal before evening sets in.  So, if you have the luxury of choosing when to mow in the day, there is a case that mid-morning is the optimal time of the day.

Now, more importantly make sure that your blades are sharp, as this will affect the lawn more so than the time of day that you mow.  IF your blades are not sharp then the lawn is torn as the dull blades hits it, this causes damage to your turf and makes it more susceptible to disease and damage.

Keep in mind, if you are going to be working with a professional service you will probably have to pay a premium if you are wanting to have the lawn mowed at specific time of day.  These professionals make their schedules out by route density. Meaning they complete their stops in the most efficient manner possible as they navigate their way throughout the neighborhood, town, or city.  So asking for a specific time will be invasive to their schedule, and you will probably have to pay extra.  Take for example a St. Augustine turf that grows in Florida, it would be extremely hard for a lawn service provider to bag and haul all those clippings off.

The Street Smart Gardener recommends keeping your lawn mowing blades higher during the summer heat. 

Source: http://www.yourgreenpal.com/blog/when-is-the-best-time-of-day-to-mow-my-lawn-morning-afternoon-does-it-matter