By the time August rolls around, it can feel like the majority of big gardening jobs are over for the year.
But with unpredictable weather and summer holidays on the cards, it’s important to make sure your plants are well looked after – especially during a heatwave.
From pruning summer-blooming plants to getting rid of deadheads and even planning for the cooler autumn months, there’s actually a lot to be done in the garden during August.
‘August tends to be the hottest month of the year, although we can never predict what the British weather is going to do, it’s important to be prepared to give your plants some really good hydration,’ says Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk.
‘A lot of people also go on holiday in August and if you are planning on going away then it’s a good idea to give your plants a good water before you go and ask a trusted friend or neighbour to oversee everything while you’re away.
‘This is also when you want to harvest your vegetables like sweetcorn and courgettes.
‘Just be sure you store them correctly and make use of them while they’re fresh.’
Ten August gardening jobs:
Begin pruning
It’s important to keep on top of pruning to keep any summer-flowering shrubs, like lavender and wisteria, under control, says Chris.
‘Fruit trees, such as apples and pears, should be pruned once they are trained, and remain in the sunlight for further ripening,’ he adds.
‘While plants such as wisteria should be pruned regularly to keep under control, and lavender should be pruned for it to remain compact and bushy.’
Start harvesting
It’s time to harvest your summer vegetables.
According to Chris, August is the time to harvest veggies such as courgettes, potatoes and sweet corn.
‘Lift up potatoes to make summer salads, remembering to store them in a hessian bag to allow darkness and ventilation,’ Chris advises.
‘Runner beans can be regularly harvested to allow new pods to grow and prevent the beans from becoming stringy.’
Remove deadheads
‘Remove deadheads to encourage new flowers to develop and to avoid unsightly gardens,’ Chris says.
He adds that it’s best to focus on perennial plants like dahlias and lilies to promote an ‘ongoing show of blossoms in the garden’.
‘To remove deadheads simply pinch the stem below the faded flower with your finger and thumb,’ says Chris.
Cut and dry herbs
Late summer is also the time for cutting herbs like rosemary and sage.
Chris notes that you can also promote the growth of herbs like oregano and thyme, and help them to survive throughout winter, by simply trimming them.
‘Remember to freeze any leftover herbs to use in dishes and drinks over the coming months [and] dry out herbs such as dill and caraway in the garden, away from the direct sunlight,’ he adds.
Watch out for blight
Blights are common throughout August, especially on tomatoes and potatoes.
‘Blight on tomatoes begins in large brown spots on the stems,’ says Chirs.
‘Once you see this, pull off the infected plants.
‘For potatoes, blight appears in small dark patches on the edge of the potato leaves.
‘Imediately cut off the top growth to prevent the infectious blight from spreading, then wait a fortnight before harvesting them.’
Mow the lawn and trim hedges
‘In August it is important for a final trim of all hedges before they stop growing over winter,’ says Chris.
He suggests cutting the top of hedges last and taking away fallen leaves and twigs for a fresh summer garden.
For lawns, he advises against using high nitrogen fertiliser.
‘This only encourages growth,’ he says. ‘Which will be harmed by the upcoming autumn weather.
‘The late summer means slower lawn growth, so ensure that lawn mowers are set to a higher cut.’
Prepare before going on holiday
If you’re planning to go on holiday this month, don’t forget to hand the safety of your garden over to a trusted friend.
‘Ask friends, family, and neighbours to water plants and flowers, and move potted plants into the shade,’ says Chris.
‘If holidaying for a longer period of time, consider installing an automatic watering system whilst away, for both outside plants, and drip irrigation for greenhouses.’
Regular watering is essential
Speaking of watering, given this year’s hot weather, keeping your plants hydrated will be vital.
‘Watering is fundamental to a blooming and flourishing garden throughout the summer heat,’ says Chris.
‘Top up water features and bird-baths regularly, and water fruit and vegetable plants, daily.
‘When watering, aim directly at the root to avoid dry soil caused from the heat.’
Greenhouse humidity and ventilation is crucial
It’s also vital to keep your greenhouse well ventilated in order to prevent damaging plants by overheating.
‘Ventilate the greenhouse by opening vents and doors on August’s warm summer days,’ says Chris.
‘To further look after delicate plants, consider using blinds or shade paint in the greenhouse.
‘Increase the humidity of the greenhouse during the hot weather by dampening the greenhouse by pouring water across the floor each day.’
Plan for the coming months
Finally, the end of summer spells the start of autumn, and that means a whole new roster of gardening jobs.
‘Plan winter gardens whilst spending time outdoors in the sun,’ says Chris.
‘Plant bulbs such as nerines and colchicums ready for autumn.
‘Prep in time for colder months by planning out garden borders and vegetable patches.
‘In August, plant vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage to ensure they are ready for winter harvesting.’
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