August Gardening Jobs

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We are now in the full flow of summer and by now, your garden should be looking lush and pretty, with flowers in bloom, fruit and veg ready to harvest and the bees and butterflies buzzing around. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a month off from your gardening work, oh no, it means tidying up and preparing for the autumn. Here are some August gardening jobs to consider carrying out…

Water Wisely

Here in the UK the August weather can vary from being very hot one day to cloud another day and then to being humid, and we can also of course see rainfall. It’s important to keep a close eye on weather reports so you can react to what your garden needs. It is also worth investing in a water butt if you haven’t done already so you aren’t using up a vital resource and aren’t creating big bills. I would recommend to do:

• Early Morning and Evening Routine: As temperatures increase, efficient watering becomes essential. Water your plants early in the morning or late in the evening to minimise evaporation, focusing on the base of the plants to ensure water reaches the roots where it’s needed most.
• Mulching: Mulch around your plants with organic matter like compost or bark to retain moisture and suppress weeds. This also helps keep the soil cool and damp during the hot days.

Deadhead and Prune

Deadheading can seem brutal but it is an essential part of gardening and has numerous benefits. Make sure you do your research before tackling the flowers and plants in your garden.

• Deadhead Regularly: Continue deadheading summer flowers like roses, dahlias and geraniums to encourage more blooms. This simple task can prolong the flowering season and keep your garden looking vibrant.
• Prune Summer-Flowering Shrubs: Once they’ve finished flowering, prune shrubs like lavender, wisteria and hydrangeas. This not only tidies the plants up but it will also prepare them for a healthy growth spurt next spring.

Harvest and Store Your Produce

This is it, your hard work has finally paid off and you should by now be seeing results. If you haven’t had a very good growing year, don’t panic, it happens, these days we are up against stranger weather patterns as well as an increase in slugs and black fly. It isn’t always going to go to plan but this is where you can reflect and change growing tactics for the following year. There is always a learning curve with gardening. If you have any of the following it is time to see to these jobs:

• Vegetables: August is a peak time for harvesting vegetables like tomatoes, courgettes, beans and sweetcorn. If you pick them regularly you’ll help to encourage further production. If you have an abundance, it may be wise to freeze, pickle or make jams.
• Fruits: Apples, pears and plums will begin to ripen this month. Watch for signs of readiness, such as fruit dropping or easily coming off the stem when twisted. Harvest them quickly before the birds get to them!
• Drying Herbs: Herbs like thyme, oregano and rosemary can be harvested and dried for use in the winter months. Simply cut them, tie them in small bunches and hang them upside down in a dry, airy place.

Lawn Care

If you had a successful No Mow May and have since tended to your lawn like I mentioned in June/July gardening jobs you should be seeing a lush green lawn right now. I would recommend:

• Mowing: Continue mowing your lawn regularly but raise the cutting height slightly during hot spells to avoid stressing the grass. If it’s particularly dry, consider reducing the frequency of mowing.
• Feeding: Apply a summer lawn feed to keep your grass green and healthy. Choose a high-potash feed if your lawn is looking a bit tired, as this will help strengthen the roots and prepare the grass for the cooler months.

Preparing for Autumn

Gardening is all about looking and planning ahead to ensure more success in the future. Right now you can think about:

• Planting Bulbs: August is the ideal time to start thinking about autumn and spring-flowering bulbs. Plant bulbs like crocuses, daffodils and alliums now to ensure a burst of colour next spring.
• Divide Perennials: As the flowering season comes to an end, divide overcrowded clumps of perennials. This not only rejuvenates the plants but also allows you to spread them to other parts of your garden or share with friends.

Pest Control

The UK weather is ideal for certain pests (hello slugs!) and as much as we love them in moderation as they DO all have their place and jobs to carry out in the garden, too many of these can be destructive.

• Watch Out for Pests: August can be a challenging month for pests. Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, caterpillars and slugs. Regular inspections and natural remedies, like using neem oil, sheep wool or introducing beneficial insects, should help to keep them under control.
• Dealing with Wasps: Wasps become more aggressive in late summer. If they’re causing problems, consider setting up traps or getting somebody in to carefully remove nests. However, remember they also play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling other pests.

Greenhouse and Indoor Plants

Keep on top of your greenhouse care to ensure it does the job it’s intended for and stays in tip top condition during the colder months.

• Ventilation: Keep your greenhouse well-ventilated to avoid overheating. Open vents and doors during the day and consider using shade cloths to protect plants from the intense midday sun.
• Feeding and Watering: Continue feeding and watering indoor plants regularly. As they’re still in their growth phase, they’ll appreciate a fortnightly feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
• See to Repairs: Tend to any issues and repairs now before the colder weather set in.

Wildlife Care

The babies should have fledged by now and the hoglets will be wandering around, learning from their mum so there will be plenty of critters who still need a little helping hand from us.

• Bird Baths: During the hot days of August, birds will appreciate a fresh source of water. Keep bird baths topped up and clean to attract a variety of species.
• Hedgehog Highways: If you’re trimming hedges or tidying up, be mindful of hedgehogs who may have made their nests. By Creating small gaps in your fences you will be allowing hedgehogs to roam freely across other gardens, helping them find food and shelter.
• Feeding: Leave out nutritious bird food such as a well balanced seed mix, meal worms and suet balls. This will help them to keep their energy levels up. You can also help those hedgehogs out by leaving out a small bowl of hedgehog food.
• Pond Safety: If you have a pond of any kind in your garden, make sure that any small animals can easily escape if they fall in by placing rocks/bricks/logs near to the edge to allow them to clamber up on.

Composting

With all the work you’ve been carrying out in your garden, your compost should be well fed and filled up so make sure you:

• Turn the Compost: If you’ve been diligent with your composting, give your heap a good turn this month. This helps to aerate the compost, speeding up the decomposition process.
• Add Green and Brown Material: Continue adding a mix of green (grass clippings, vegetable scraps) and brown (dried leaves, cardboard) material to maintain a healthy balance in your compost heap.

Planning for the Future

As I mentioned above, there is always something new to think about for the future…

• Garden Journaling: Take notes of what worked well in your garden this summer and what didn’t. This can help you plan for next year’s garden, making it even better.
• Order Seeds: Now is the time to start ordering seeds for autumn sowing. This gives you a head start and ensures you get the varieties you want before they sell out.

By tackling these August gardening jobs, you will be ensuring that your garden will remain vibrant, healthy and welcoming. Happy gardening!

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