LADY BUG: IT MAY BE DOG DAYS, BUT NOT IN A LUSH GARDEN

August is the month when the summer garden begins its colorful passage into fall. This is a vibrant transition period which offers plenty of flowers and vegetables to enjoy. Annuals and perennials are still blooming and tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, okra, squash, green peppers and melons are still producing.

Summer flowering bulbs are at their peak of bloom. Gladioli are abundant this month. Corms that were planted later in spring to extend the blooming period are now bringing their lush, feathery flowers into bloom.

Dahlias, both miniature and standard sizes, are at their height of the blooming season. Their shape, color and size brings variety and great color to the garden.

Cannas flourish and bloom during the summer, and late summer lilies are the exotic addition to color. Tuberous begonias are another summer flowering bulb to enjoy.

Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii, the botanical term) offers graceful spikes and purple, lavender or pink spikes for beauty and brings in the butterflies to sip the nectar from the fragrant spikes. This shrub, which dies back in the winter to return in the springtime, is easily grown and a wonderful addition to a perennial garden.

Calla lilies have been delighting the customers at the flower stand at the FArmer's Market on Thursdays. These waxy flowers in pink, yellow and white are accented by delightful mottled foliage, which comes up in the garden in the dead of winter. Some new hybrids must be dug in the fall and stored indoors for replanting next spring.

Perennials hibiscus makes a spectacular display in the sunny garden, wit hits large showy flowers and sturdy fast growing plants. Some of the new ones, such as Southern Belle, have blossoms that measure 10-inches across.

If Dog Days give your outdoor hanging baskets the August doldrums, they may need a boost. Plants in containers outside have limited soil, and need more moisture, nutrients and extra attention.

Whether on the patio or hanging from the house, they dry out more readily. If planted in a sunny place, soil dries rapidly as the sides of the container get hot, causing this portion of the soil to become too dry. This can be damaging to the roots of the plant.

Large containers with good drainage need watering at least once a day and sometimes smaller ones require a drink twice daily.

When branches hang too low on the lawn, or when shrubs overhang walks, or when grape vines run rampant, or when dwarf fruit trees have grown too much, there is no need to wait for late winter to prune. Late summer is a good time to do limited pruning to correct these problems. If lily bulbs are purchased they should be planted promptly. Lilies may also be planted in the early spring, but the growth and flowering from fall planted bulbs is usually better the first year than that from similar bulbs planted in the spring.

Lilies grow best in locations where drainage within the soil is excellent. A sloping area is excellent. Lilies need large amounts of humus, such as leaf mold or compost, which helps loosen the soil and permits greater root development.

When many perennial flowers have finished blooming, they enter into a dormant or semi-dormant state in late summer or early fall. Now is the best time for digging, dividing and revitalizing them. Among the plants handled this way are peonies, oriental poppies, phlox, Madonna lilies, iris and daylilies.

How frequently a plant should be lifted and divided depends upon the type of plant as well as its vigor and growing conditions. Peonies can remain in the same place for years. Some have been known to flower after 20 years.

When transplanting perennials, lift the clump with caution. The plant may still be slowly growing. A cloudy day is ideal for such a procedure as the roots do not become dry in the process. It may be wise to cover them with a damp cloth, newspapers or burlap until they can be replanted.

Also, while dividing and transplanting, eliminate any diseased or weakened portion of the old plant. In many perennials, the most vigorous shoots may be at the outside of the clump. Always replant at the same depth the clump was growing. Never plant deeper, and if in doubt plant them shallow to allow for the soil's settling. Always water the new divisions when planting.

A common complaint among vegetable gardeners at this time of the year is a disease known as bacterial wilt which attacks vine crops, such as cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe and pumpkins. This disease is carried by the cucumber beetle and causes the vines to wilt and die. There is no cure; simply pull up the vines and destroy. A good insect control early in the season can avoid next year's problem. Since the beetles may over winter, they can transmit the disease as son as they feed in the spring.