Summer is here and the mercury is hitting new heights as August gets into full swing.
One of the hottest months of the year, August is a time when we need to be extra vigilant where plants and crops are concerned. Fears of waterlogged pots and borders are a distant memory, replaced with managing potential drought as the heat continues and new challenges it brings.
Hosepipe bans are a reality in really warm weather, but plants need to be regularly watered and fed to maintain healthy growth and reduce stress.
Using grey water where possible is ideal, but the water butts are also running on empty. As soon as the rain hits, use any spare pots and buckets to store water.
August really showcases the garden at its best. Whilst there are still many jobs to do, if we get the balance right, we can enjoy the garden whilst keeping it growing into September and beyond.
Harvest time
- Lift onions and shallots as soon as tops start to wilt.
- Harvest courgettes, beans, cabbage, beetroot and broccoli.
- Pick crops that love the heat as they are in their element in August – tomatoes, chillies and peppers are just a few.
- Harvest new potatoes but check for potato blight and remove infected crops.
- Keep planting and sowing different varieties of lettuce and herbs to ensure crops keep growing into autumn. Take a look at the ‘How to get the best from salad leaves’ blog for tips on what grows well.
- Plant spring onions and turnips. Winter cabbage can be planted directly into the ground for next spring.
- As squash plants start to grow, limit the fruit on each plant to around three to encourage strong growth.
- Strawberries with strong roots can be re-potted into new beds.
- Plant blueberries in acid-based soil.
- Use netting to protect fruits such as raspberries, strawberries and blackberries.
- Prune fruit stems once finished and cut out old, fruited canes.
- Harvest fruit once ripened. Apricots, nectarines, cherries, plums and soft fruits should all be in season.
- Plant cold stored potato tubers in pots in the greenhouse ready to harvest later in the year.
Blooming lovely
- To keep blooms going into autumn, remove faded blooms to encourage re-growth.
- Summer prune wisteria.
- Prune rambling roses that have flowered and add supports. ‘Getting the best from your roses’ blog has some handy tips to keep roses in great condition.
- Collect seeds from flowers that have finished for the season.
- Plant autumn bulbs in pots and borders. ‘Planting pots for autumn and winter’ blog is a good place to start if you are looking for inspiration.
- Time to sow hardy annuals such as calendula direct into the ground for next spring.
- There are plenty of gorgeous flowers to choose from in the garden, so bring the outside in by cutting some of your favourites.
- As rhododendrons start to bud, ensure you continue to water and add liquid Ericaceous Feed to prevent yellowing of the leaves.
- Don’t forget those houseplants. To prevent leaf scorch, move plants away from strong sunlight but to an area where they feel the benefits of the warm weather.
- As houseplants start to get top heavy, replant.
- Water and apply a good all-round feed to houseplants such as House Plant Feed.
Feed for healthy growth
- Water plants and crops regularly, either early morning before the sun has fully risen or late afternoon as the sun sets. Watering in the late afternoon gives it time to soak down through the soil overnight.
- Most plants will require an additional feed either weekly or every other week during peak season.
- For a regular, liquid feed take a look at the various products available ranging from plant-specific feeds to good all-rounders such as Vitax Q4 Liquid All Purpose Plant Food or Organic Liquid All Purpose Plant Food. The whole range can be found here.
Pests on the rise
- As plants and crops grow, so do weeds and pests, so keep those eyes peeled. Greenhouses are perfect breeding grounds for aphids and other pests. Check plants regularly and remove. Applying a protection spray, such as Organic Plant Guard will help.
- Whilst slugs and snails prefer damp weather, they are still on the march during August. Applying a deterrent such as Slug Gone will help repel them. Ensure you water the pellets once applied to ensure there is a continuous mat around the plant.
- Dig out weeds from lawns and borders.
- Clear weeds from paths and patios. Path & Patio Cleaner will help remove stubborn weeds and algae.
Maintaining the garden
- Lawn growth tends to slow down in late summer, so raise the levels on the lawn mower before cutting.
- Time to get out those hedge trimmers and trim those hedges.
- Take a look at the shading in the greenhouse and re-apply Summer Cloud Greenhouse Shading to close any gaps.
- Top up feeders and water baths.
- If you have a wild meadow, now is a good time to cut once flowering has finished to help spread the seeds.
- If you are planning to lay a new lawn, prepare the soil so that it is settled by September.
The list could go on and on, but why not pull up a deck chair, relax and start that autumn planning. Enjoy!