Although it may be hard to believe, we are now in early August, so its time to feed all those hungry annuals. Even if you started out by adding those long lasting fertilizer granules, they are probably gone by now. Plants in pots or hanging baskets need at least a shot of liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks. Those in the ground can go longer as they can stretch their roots out in search of nourishment.

The other thing a lot of annuals need by now is a good haircut. Petunias especially get long and leggy and start to look pretty sad. Take those garden scissors and cut each stem back by at least a third; half if they're really long. Then give the plants some fertilizer with a high middle number. In a couple of weeks, they will be back in bloom and looking so much better. Flowering will continue until (hopefully) late October when the first hard frost hits.

Speaking of fertilizer, don't add any to your perennials, shrubs or trees now. It seems odd, but the experts tell us that they need to stop producing any more new growth as this will not have time to harden off. Besides annuals, the only exception is lawn grass. That should get one more shot of fertilizer in late September.

If you have irises to move or divide, do it before the end of this month. Most perennials have deep roots, but not irises. Theirs sit right at ground level making it necessary to give them extra time to develop a good root system. Keep in mind that late planted irises often don't make it through the winter.

If you've never divided a clump of irises, it's not difficult. Just takes a bit of muscle to dig them up. Once out of the ground, pull or cut all the old center growth out and toss it as those are spent and won't bloom again. Trim the leaves down to 5 or 6 inches making it easier to handle the ones you're keeping. Then plant in an area which gets at least a half day of sun. Be sure to sit each thickened root, (rhizome) on a mound of dirt so it's at ground level. Spread the roots down both sides. Water well. Once established they will only need infrequent water. Irises aren't big feeders but they appreciate a sprinkling of bone meal in early spring when growth begins.

If you're seeing a lot of yellow leaves on your bleeding hearts or Oriental poppies about now, don't panic. These plants normally go dormant in midsummer. In fact, this is the only time you can safely move Oriental poppies. Once the foliage yellows, just pull it off and toss it into the compost heap. Speaking of yellow leaves, always take them off when you see them on any kind of plant as they will never ever turn green again.

I hope your gardens are now producing for you. For you new gardeners growing string beans, be sure to pick them while the pods are still flat. If you wait until they have bumps along the sides, they are really past their prime. This is one case where bigger is not better. If your leaf lettuce is done for, pull it out. For a fall crop, don't seed directly into the ground as it probably won't germinate. Lettuce seeds need cool temperatures for that. Go ahead and plant them in a container. Place in front of a sunny window indoors and transplant out into the garden once they get a couple of inches tall. Doing this should keep you supplied with lettuce until late fall.

Those of us with raspberry patches have been busy picking lately. They are such a treat and so easy to grow. All you "cherry pickers" are hard at work too. Don't be surprised if old acquaintances suddenly drop by just in time to share in the bounty. I'm wondering if this is what is meant by the term, "fair weather friends?"

Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. Since then, she has always kept a garden of some sort, growing everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.