Gardening in August: Bask in the Height of Summer Blooms

The hum of bees, the scent of sun-warmed blossoms, and the feel of ripe tomatoes – August brings with it the zenith of summer's gifts. With warm days and still-pleasant evenings, it's a delightful time to be outdoors, tending to plants that are in full swing and planning ahead for the cooler seasons. Let's explore the key gardening tasks for August and identify the perfect seeds to plant this month.

Key Gardening Tasks for August:



General Maintenance:

• Deadheading: Regularly snip off faded flowers on plants like roses, dahlias, and geraniums. This encourages a new wave of blooms.
• Watering: August can be dry, so water plants thoroughly in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
• Harvesting: Many fruits and veggies, like tomatoes, beans, and summer berries, are ready to be picked. Harvest them regularly to encourage further production.

Preparing for Autumn:

• Cuttings: Take cuttings from tender perennials like pelargoniums and fuchsias to propagate new plants.
• Green Manures: Consider sowing green manures in vacant plots. These plants will improve soil quality and can be dug in later.

Lawn Care:

• Maintenance: Continue mowing your lawn but raise the blades to prevent scalping in dry conditions.
• Watering: Water your lawn deeply once a week if the weather remains dry.

Seeds to Sow in August:

Vegetables:

• Winter Salads: Start planting lambs lettuce, winter purslane, and chicory for a steady supply of salad leaves in the colder months.
• Spring Onions: Sow winter varieties now for a harvest in early spring.
• Oriental Greens: Think pak choi and Chinese cabbage for tasty additions to autumn meals.

Flowers:

• Spring Bloomers: Sow hardy annuals like calendula, cornflowers, and Nigella to flower early next spring.
• Wildflowers: Consider sowing wildflower seeds to create a natural haven for pollinators next year.

Herbs:

• Continual Flavor: Keep sowing batches of coriander, dill, and chervil to ensure a fresh supply.

Fruits:

• Strawberries: Plant out runners from established strawberry plants to get a head start for next year’s crop.

August, with its lazy afternoons and sun-drenched earth, is a time to not only enjoy the current splendors of your garden but to also lay the groundwork for the coming seasons. From savoring the burst of flavors from fresh produce to relishing the colorful symphony of blooms, make the most of this month. And as you do, sow the seeds that will become next season's joy. Happy gardening!