In the North, corn is denting; in the South, the whole crop can be mature.  The cutting of silage has taken over from the second and third cuts of hay.  Soybeans are turning as well as setting pods.  The harvest of winter wheat and oats is complete throughout the nation.  Across the Plains, the spring wheat is coming in, and the great cabbage and cauliflower harvests are underway.  

Almost everywhere above the equator, people are digging potatoes, picking commercial and private tomato plants clean.  The seasons for everbearing strawberries, plums, pears, watermelons and peaches are about done in the South, just starting in the North; summer apples are almost all picked, the great blackberry harvest is going on.  In Kentucky, tobacco has all been topped.  

Elderberries and wild grapes should be perfect for juice and wine by the middle of the month.  Mum-selling time is approaching for the mum growers.  Pansy time is here for the autumn pansy market.  Garlic planting time begins along the Canadian border from Washington to Maine.

Late August and all of September offer near ideal conditions for dividing and transplanting perennials - as long as the moon is dark and the heat waves have subsided.  Crocus, aconites, snowdrops, daffodils and tulips can go into the ground across the northern tier of states; the South can wait until October.  

Peonies and other perennials are often fertilized this month to encourage improved flowering next spring and summer.  This is also an excellent time to enlarge day lily and iris collections.

August is also a good month in which to test your soil - both for your fall and winter garden as well as the fields where you intend to sow winter wheat and rye, alfalfa, canola, clover and timothy.  Make corrective lime and fertilizer applications for autumn plantings.  

Get ready to seed or re-seed spring pastures in September or October.  Prepare cold frames in the North, and then seed late autumn greens and radishes under the waxing moon for October, November and December salads.  

Keep an eye on the average temperatures in your area.  They will be dropping one to two degrees a week in August, two to three degrees a week in September.  Check the average killing frost date for your region, then subtract 30 days for light frost, and 30 more days for the chance of a slight frost (enough to damage delicate market crops like basil).

As the moon waxes, put in your viola and pansy seeds for spring flowers.  Plant your fall peas.  Put out cabbage, kale and collard sets.  Seed the lawn.  Gather up the squash and pumpkins as their stems dry; store in a cool, dry location.  

Dig the tender gladiolus and dahlia bulbs in the North, and store them for the winter away from frost and moisture.  Pick gourds and protect them before the frost hurts their tender hides.

Purchase a little rye to plant in the garden now; let it sprout and grow; spade it under in March or April.  If you plant your spinach now, it will overwinter and provide an early-spring crop.