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38 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | AUGUST 2020 | "When summer opens, I see how fast it matures, and fear it will be short; but after the heats of July and August, I am reconciled, like one who has had his swing, to the cool of autumn." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Ahh the month of August is upon us, the tail end of the dog days of summer. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, the Dog Days of summer are traditionally the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending Aug. 11, which coincide with the dawn rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. August is known for many things, including the dog days of summer, National Watermelon Day (Aug. 3) and National Smile Week (Aug. 5-11). But there are many other fun facts associated with summer's last full month such as: August has two birthstones: peridot and sardonyx. The official flower for August is the gladiolus. These vertical-growing flowers were named from the Latin "gladius," meaning a sword. Fans of Elvis Presley mourn each Aug. 16, the day the famed singer died in 1977. On Aug. 24 in 79 A.D., the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying the city of Pompeii and others. People born in August fall under the sun zodiac signs of Leo and Virgo. Leos are known to be dramatic, creative and outgoing. On Aug. 21, 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre Gallery and not recovered for two years. Although civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., is honored in January, when he was born, he is best known for his famed "I have a dream" speech which was given on Aug. 28, 1963. On the garden front, some worthy plants to try in August are calendula, nigella, cerinthe, papaver, aquilegia, and hardy geranium. Don't forget to deadhead plants such as dahlia, roses and penstemon and bedding to prolong the display color well into early autumn. Hardy geraniums can be cut back a little to remove tired leaves and encourage a new flush of growth. Prune climbing and rambling roses that do not repeat flower or produce attractive hips, once the flowers have finished. Most importantly keep picking flowers from the cutting garden to encourage more flower buds to form and open. Until we meet again in the Main Clubhouse Ballroom, be safe and well. For membership contact Sherry Case at (951) 533-3584 or Linda Powers at (951) 769-3101. For fruit harvesting contact Judy Garth at (951) 797-3130. For general information contact President, Pam Mikkelsen at (951) 797-3080. Happy gardening. Garden Club Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.

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