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  1. Home
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  4. August

August in the Garden

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Gardening in August

August is often one of the hottest and driest months of the year, reliably bringing the summer to a glorious close. An abundance of warm and dry weather means that there is a lot to do to keep our gardens looking at their best. Watering becomes a critical activity as we give plants a helping hand in the heat, the vegetable patch is cropping heavily, and the lawn is in full use as a place to relax in the sun.

What to plant and do in August?

August is a great time to enjoy the best of your garden, but there are still plenty of jobs to do. Whether you want to know what vegetables, plants or seeds to plant in August, discover our essential tips for August gardening.

  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Plants and shrubs
  • Roses
  • Ornamental plants
  • Lawns
Cucumbers

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)

Delicious in salads and sandwiches, the crisp, sweet crunch of a cucumber is one of the joys of summer.

Read more about Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Peas

Peas (Pisum sativum)

Nothing beats home-grown peas for their tenderness and taste.

Read more about Peas (Pisum sativum)
How to grow onions

Onions (Allium cepa)

Onions (Allium cepa) are an essential ingredient in every cook’s store cupboard.

Read more about Onions (Allium cepa)
how to grow courgettes

Courgettes (Cucurbita pepo)

Courgettes are a common summer staple in the vegetable garden.

Read more about Courgettes (Cucurbita pepo)
How to grow runner beans

Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus)

Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are among the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow.

Read more about Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus)
growing salad leaves

Salad leaves (various)

Grow your own salad and you can pick exactly how much you want and need.

Read more about Salad leaves (various)
growing sweetcorn

Sweetcorn (Zea mays)

Sweetcorn, or maize, is sweet, tender and delicious – especially when cooked as soon as it is picked. Plenty of sun and...

Read more about Sweetcorn (Zea mays)
how to grow spring onions

Spring onions (Scallion)

Spring onions are a delicious addition to a whole range of dishes, from summer salads to stir-fries.

Read more about Spring onions (Scallion)
How to grow potatoes

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are tubers that grow and form at the plant’s roots.

Read more about Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
How to grow tomatoes

Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum)

Nothing beats the taste of your own home-grown tomatoes, freshly-picked and warm from the summer sun.

Read more about Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum)
How to grow garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic is the base of so many delicious dishes, and growing garlic at home is now very popular.

Read more about Garlic (Allium sativum)
How to grow pumpkins

Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata)

Delicious in pies, soups and stews, and full of vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are a tasty autumn and winter treat.

Read more about Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata)
How to Grow Lupins

Lupins (Lupinus)

Lupins are a traditional addition to any garden, providing colourful flowers from late spring through to mid-summer.

Read more about Lupins (Lupinus)
How to Grow French Beans

French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

French beans are a versatile vegetable, producing attractive, long, thin pods, and creamy haricot beans.

Read more about French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
How to grow and care for Cavolo Nero

Cavolo Nero (Lacinato kale)

‘Cavolo Nero’ is a variety of kale, closely related to broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

Read more about Cavolo Nero (Lacinato kale)
How to grow and care for Rocket salad leaves

Rocket (Eruca vesicaria)

Salad rocket, like its name, is a fast-growing salad leaf, perfect for adding a peppery spiciness to your salads.

Read more about Rocket (Eruca vesicaria)
How to grow and care for Chard

Chard (Beta vulgaris)

Chard, or Swiss Chard, is a delicious and beautiful plant which will bring harvests to the kitchen and colour to the...

Read more about Chard (Beta vulgaris)
How to grow sorrel

Sorrel (Rumex)

Sorrel is a great substitute for spinach, with a similar texture but a sharper citrus flavour.

Read more about Sorrel (Rumex)
How to grow sugar snap peas

Sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum)

​Sugar snap peas are a deliciously sweet, fun and quick-cropping vegetable to grow.

Read more about Sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum)
Sections of harvested horseradish root and grated horseradish on a wooden table

Horseradish

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a hardy perennial known for its hot and peppery roots, widely used in cooking and...

Read more about Horseradish
how to grow strawberries

Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)

If you’re a strawberry fan, the many varieties of ‘Fragaria × ananassa’ are easy to grow at home.

Read more about Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)
How to grow raspberries

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus)

What could be better than a bowl of sweet, freshly-picked raspberries in summer?

Read more about Raspberries (Rubus idaeus)
How to grow blueberries

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium angustifolium)

Eaten fresh, baked in muffins or as the star attraction in jams or desserts, blueberries are always delicious.

Read more about Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium angustifolium)
Avocado

Avocado (Persea americana)

Avocados are a favourite fruit used in kitchens around the world - why not try planting the stone to grow your own?

Read more about Avocado (Persea americana)
How to Grow Banana Plants

Banana (Ensete, Musa)

With their exotic and enormous foliage, banana plants add a taste of the tropics to the garden.

Read more about Banana (Ensete, Musa)
How to grow butternut squash

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)

Butternut squash are a late season favourite, with attractive fruits which will keep well throughout the autumn and...

Read more about Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)
How to grow and care for peaches

Peach (Prunus persica)

What better way to round off a summer meal than with a luscious peach? Even better, a peach you’ve grown yourself!

Read more about Peach (Prunus persica)
How to grow and care for mango trees

Mango (Mangifera indica)

Everyone loves mangoes, but did you know that you can grow a mango tree from a seed?

Read more about Mango (Mangifera indica)
How to grow and care for cherry trees

Cherry (Prunus subg. Cerasus, Prunus sect. Microcerasus)

Cherry trees are truly beautiful, with different species offering gorgeous flowers, bark, leaves, and fruit. You can...

Read more about Cherry (Prunus subg. Cerasus, Prunus sect. Microcerasus)
 Close-up of ripe figs on fig tree branch.

Fig Tree

Fig trees (Ficus carica) are Mediterranean natives that thrive in climates with hot, dry summers and cool winters...

Read more about Fig Tree
Love the Garden / Geranium

Geraniums and pelargoniums (Geraniaceae)

Geraniums are versatile plants which can add a multitude of colours and scents to the garden.

Read more about Geraniums and pelargoniums (Geraniaceae)
Lilac

Lilac (Syringa)

With beautiful flowers and a beautiful scent, it’s easy to see why lilac is such a well-loved plant.

Read more about Lilac (Syringa)
Crocosmia

Crocosmia

Crocosmia bring flashes of bright colour and vibrance to a garden, with their graceful, delicately arching flower stalks...

Read more about Crocosmia
How to grow and care for Ceanothus

Ceanothus

Ceanothus is a beautiful and eye-catching perennial shrub. The vivid and prolific blooms are usually blue, but white and...

Read more about Ceanothus
How to grow and care for Euphorbias

Euphorbia

Hailing from a diverse range of habitats/regions, there’s a Euphorbia to suit you – whether you’re looking for a...

Read more about Euphorbia
How to grow and care for Buddleia

Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)

Commonly known as the butterfly bush, Buddleia davidii is a hardy, summer flowering shrub which is very easy to grow.

Read more about Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
How to grow and care for Bay Trees

Bay (Laurus nobilis)

A slow-growing and easy-to-care-for plant, the bay tree is extremely popular. The aromatic leaves are widely used in all...

Read more about Bay (Laurus nobilis)
How to grow and care for an Ornamental Quince

Ornamental quince (Chaenomeles)

The Ornamental Quince is a small, pretty shrub with lots to offer to any garden.

Read more about Ornamental quince (Chaenomeles)
How to grow and care for Asters

Aster

Asters are perennials which produce lots of colourful daisy-like flowers year after year.

Read more about Aster
How to grow and care for Dianthus

Dianthus

You may have heard of Carnations, Sweet Williams, and Pinks - these are all types of Dianthus, the collective name for...

Read more about Dianthus
How to grow and care for Verbena

Verbena

The many different species of Verbena are great for bringing useful pollinators to the garden.

Read more about Verbena
How to grow Gypsophila (Baby Breath)

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila)

Gypsophila has earned its nickname from the sweet-sour milk smell of its flowers, which resemble that of baby’s breath.

Read more about Baby’s breath (Gypsophila)
How to Grow and Care for Forget-Me-Not flowers

Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis)

The vibrant blue flowers of Forget-Me-Nots make them a pretty choice for brightening a spring garden.

Read more about Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis)
How to grow and care for Hollyhocks | Love the Garden

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)

Common hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are an elegant, traditional flower, perfect for a classic cottage garden.

Read more about Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)
Flowering white star magnolia tree against a blue sky

Magnolia

Magnolia trees are renowned for their stunning blooms. On deciduous magnolias, these fragrant flowers – available in...

Read more about Magnolia
Close-up of begonia with double orange flowers and dark green leaves

Begonias

Begonias are cherished in UK gardens and homes for their vibrant flowers and distinctive foliage. With a wide variety of...

Read more about Begonias
Close-up of pink flowering bougainvillea

Bougainvillea

With its bright colours and light, airy appearance, bougainvillea evokes the charm of Mediterranean gardens in Italy...

Read more about Bougainvillea
Grey cat sniffing leaves of catnip plant

Catnip

Catnip is widely recognized as the plant that can send cats wild with its scent! However, its benefits extend far beyond...

Read more about Catnip
White gardenia flower surrounded by glossy green foliage

Gardenias

Gardenias are cherished for their beautifully fragrant blooms and glossy, evergreen foliage. These warm-climate shrubs...

Read more about Gardenias
How to grow roses

Roses (Rosa)

Roses (Rosa) are among the UK’s favourite garden plants – and deservedly so.

Read more about Roses (Rosa)
How to grow sunflowers

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

If you want to grow something spectacular, plant sunflowers.

Read more about Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Caring for Alliums

Allium

Alliums belong to the same family as onions, garlic and leeks, as you can tell from the scent when you crush the foliage...

Read more about Allium
how to grow sweet peas

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet peas are an incredibly popular summer climbing plant. They produce masses of flowers all summer long.

Read more about Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Pink Peony

Peony (Paeonia)

These stunning plants provide a captivating elegance to a border. Large colourful flowers flourish in late spring and...

Read more about Peony (Paeonia)
Salvias

Salvia

There are over 900 distinct species of Salvia, providing a huge range of smells and vivacious colours.

Read more about Salvia
How to grow and care for Geums

Geum

Pretty and delicate, Geums provide colour throughout the summer. They are frost tolerant, happy in a range of soil types...

Read more about Geum
How to grow and care for Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Most Honeysuckles have a sweet heady summer fragrance and are very beneficial to garden wildlife.

Read more about Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
How to grow and care for Helenium

Helenium

Bearing bold flowers in orange, red and yellow, Heleniums are a bright and cheerful addition to the garden border.

Read more about Helenium
How to grow and care for Nerine bulbs

Nerine

Perfect for autumn colour, the brightly coloured Nerine is a great addition to a sun-soaked border. They can also be...

Read more about Nerine
How to grow and care for Violas

Pansies and violets (Viola)

The Viola is an adaptable low growing bedding plant coming in both classic and trailing varieties.

Read more about Pansies and violets (Viola)
How to grow and care for Cosmos

Cosmos

Cosmos, also known as ‘Mexican Aster’, is a great low maintenance and long flowering annual.

Read more about Cosmos
How to grow and care for Snapdragons

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

Coming in a range of colours and sizes, Snapdragons bloom from June through to October on tall spire stems.

Read more about Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
How to grow and care for Anemone

Anemone

Anemones are a cheerful and vibrant group of plants, providing interest from early spring onwards.

Read more about Anemone
How to plant a tree

How to plant a tree

A well planted tree will live for decades, providing endless benefits to the environment and wildlife.

Read more about How to plant a tree
How to grow and care for Sedums | Love The Garden

Sedum

Plants in the Sedum genus are easy to grow, produce lots of nectar for pollinators, and provide lovely autumn colour.

Read more about Sedum
How to grow and care for Calathea

Calathea (Calathea)

Calathea do have a reputation of being tricky to grow, but these challenges are well worth mastering

Read more about Calathea (Calathea)
How to grow and care for Hostas

Hostas (Hosta)

Hostas are usually grown for their beautiful leaves, with the attractive foliage coming in various shades of green, blue...

Read more about Hostas (Hosta)

Vegetables

What vegetables to plant in August

August is the perfect time to think about quick- growing plants which can be picked before the year comes to an end. These seeds can be sown straight into soil outside, filling the gaps left by previous harvests:

  • Carrots
  • Florence (bulb) fennel
  • Lettuce (Lamb’s lettuce, mizuna, mustard)
  • Pak Choi
  • Radishes
  • Rocket
  • Spinach
  • Spring cabbage
  • Spring onions (winter varieties)
  • Turnips

They will give you a crop into late autumn and beyond. Also plant out any remaining kale, winter/spring cauliflowers and winter cabbage plants, if you have them.

What vegetables to harvest in August

August is wonderful time in the vegetable garden. Your efforts from earlier in the year really pay off, and you could be harvesting any or all of the following:

  • Aubergine
  • Beetroot
  • Broad Beans
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Chilli peppers
  • Courgettes
  • Cucumber
  • French Beans
  • Globe artichokes
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Radish
  • Runner beans
  • Summer cabbage
  • Sweet peppers
  • Sweetcorn
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnips

Vegetable plant maintenance in August

Whilst you are harvesting crops from the vegetable patch, it’s worth doing the following too:

  • Asparagus - monitor closely for asparagus beetle, which will weaken future crops. Remove by hand, and if you aren’t squeamish… squish them.
  • Aubergines - remove the top growing point to allow the plant to divert its energy into the developing fruit.
  • Beetroot - thin out plants gradually so that each has about 8cm (3in) of growing space. Use the leaves as they are, and grate smaller roots into salads.
  • Broad Beans - once they have finished cropping, cut the plants to ground level. The roots will decay in the soil and provide a source of nitrogen to other plants.
  • Celery - water well, surround the stalks with newspaper and then earth up with soil.
  • Courgettes - pick when they are about 10cm (4in) long and before they have a chance to turn into marrows. Water well and use a tomato feed on them every fortnight.
  • French and Runner Beans - continue to harvest to help the plant produce more pods. Water well in dry weather and add a mulch of compost or grass clippings afterwards to conserve moisture.
  • Peas - protect from birds by covering with netting, or dangle shiny objects nearby which will move in the wind to deter them.
  • Sweetcorn - tap the stems of each plant every week to help pollination.
  • Blight can devastate tomato and potato crops at this time of year. Look out for brown patches on plants. Remove affected plant material immediately before it can spread to the edible parts of the plant.
  • Hoe the vegetable patch to reduce competition from weeds for moisture. Hand weed asparagus, carrots and beetroot as they can be easily damaged.

Fruit

What fruit to plant in August

While there aren’t a lot of fruits that you can plant in August, strawberries can be planted in August to be overwintered and then produce larger crops in the summer.

What fruit to harvest in August

There are so many different fruits ripening in August. Relish eating them fresh from the plant, still warm from the summer sun. Depending on the variety grown, all of the following fruit can be harvested this month:

  • Apricots
  • Autumn raspberries
  • Blackcurrants
  • Cherries
  • Grapes
  • Mulberries
  • Nectarines
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Redcurrants
  • Strawberries

Most will not store well unless frozen, dried or cooked. There should be plenty more to come however, so enjoy them straight from the plant whilst thinking about what you might do with any surpluses.

Fruit plant maintenance in August

Wandering around the garden picking your homegrown fruit is also a good chance to check the same plants for pests and diseases. Some of the following may be noticeable at this time of year:

  • Birds - net figs and late varieties of cherries to protect them from pecking.
  • Brown rot - a fungal disease that can affect many different types of fruit. It can spread quickly. Remove any affected material, and plan to prune later in the year to improve air circulation.
  • Codling moth caterpillars - damages apples and pears, you may find an exit hole on the fruit, and further tunnelling towards the centre. Pheromone traps should be used in the spring to trap the moths before they lay eggs on fruit.
  • Wasps - if these are a problem, create a wasp trap to draw them away from the fruit. Pierce holes in the lid of an old jam jar, add a dollop of jam to the jar, put the top on and leave nearby - and away from areas you will visit frequently.

Well-timed pruning of fruit is important to keep the plants productive. August is the correct time to prune:

  • Supported apple and pear trees, for example cordons and espalier trained plants. Doing this in the summer helps to direct new growth in a way that retains the intended shape.
  • Plum trees are best pruned when in full growth, and not in colder months when cuts can introduce disease.
  • Remove Summer-fruiting raspberry canes which produced fruit earlier in the year. Those canes will be brown and woody. Newer canes are green and should be thinned to about 25cm (10in) apart.

Other activities to keep you busy in the fruit patch in August include:

  • Sever runners from old strawberry plants and move the new plants to a different location if the bed looks crowded. Strawberry plants need about 30cm (12in) space between them.
  • Check netting on fruit bushes to ensure it is taut and secure enough to keep birds away from the fruit.
  • Cut back foliage on grape vines to allow the sun to ripen bunches of fruit.
  • Water any new fruit bushes and trees in spells of very hot weather. It is important that they can establish well to give you many years of productivity.
  • Feed citrus plants, such as lemons and kumquats, with a special citrus plant food.

Plants and shrubs

What plants and shrubs to plant in August

Any plants which have been container grown can be planted out now, although they will need careful attention to survive the demands of a hot summer. Container-grown plants which you could plant out now include:

  • Buddleia
  • Camelias
  • Ceanothus
  • Deutzia
  • Hydrangeas
  • Roses

If you can wait until later in the year to plant perennials, they will need less care and maintenance, leaving you free to concentrate on other activities in the garden.

What plants and shrubs to prune in August

  • Wisteria should be summer pruned to make sure that it does not start to enter crevices in walls and guttering. Remove any lateral shoots at the base and any straggly growth.
  • Choisya, Lavender, Nepeta and Weigela should be pruned to a tidy shape, once they have finished flowering.
  • Alchemilla, Delphinums and Hardy geraniums can be cut back to remove browning leaves.

Plant and shrub maintenance in August

Watering and weeding are the main activities to concentrate on in August:

  • Newly planted container-grown perennials should be well watered in dry spells.
  • Established perennial plants should only be watered only in very dry spells. They already have strong root systems that can withstand a period of drought.
  • Bindweed can be a nuisance in established borders and should be removed as soon as you see it. The beautiful flowers can make it seem worth keeping, but there are other species of Convolvulus which are just as pretty but non-invasive.
  • Keep on top of weeds by lightly hoeing the soil around shrubs. Do this on a sunny day to allow the weather to dry and shrivel them.

Deadhead plants to encourage them to produce new flowers. Cut the flowerhead back to the nearest next flower bud. This will help the plant to produce more flowers.

Roses

What roses to plant in August

Roses grown in containers can be planted out in August. They can be moved to larger, more ornate containers, or planted out into a border to provide a beautiful scent whenever you past them.

There are a few simple things you can do to help a new rose settle into its home stress-free:

  • Select an appropriate location for the rose. Many roses thrive in the sun, but varieties are available which suit other conditions, such as particularly shady spots.
  • Water the soil before planting and add plenty of compost.
  • Make sure that the hole or container which you will plant the rose in is several inches deeper and wider than the roots of the rose.
  • Tease the roots from the container to encourage them to spread.
  • Loosely tie the rose to a cane inserted into the soil, to provide it with extra support.
  • Water well in the dry heat of August, first thing in the morning or in the evening.

There are many types of rose to choose from, depending on the space and location you have in mind.

What roses to prune in August

Rambling roses should be cut back by removing about a third of the plant. The remaining branches should be tied into wire supports which are fixed against a wall.

Here is plenty of useful guidance about how to prune roses.

Rose maintenance in August

August is a time to be vigilant in the rose garden. Dry heat as well as humidity can create ideal conditions for a number of damaging pests and diseases. Look out for the following:

  • Aphids - often the first noticeable sign is an unsightly black ‘soot’ on leaves. This is a mould growing on sticky excretions left by aphids which have been busy sucking sap from the rose. The aphids particularly enjoy newer growth, such as buds and young leaves. Squash them, encourage predators such as ladybirds and lacewings, or spray to control.
  • Blackspot - a fungal disease which causes black marks on the leaves, and sometimes yellowing on the wider leaf. Leaves can drop off entirely. This problem can be very damaging to roses, seriously inhibiting their development. Do not compost material from any roses which you think may have this disease, as you risk spreading it around the garden. Spray with a treatment specifically aimed at controlling rose problems.
  • Large rose sawfly - look out for sawflies, their eggs and larvae. Encourage birds to the garden, which will feast on them.
  • Powdery mildew - a fungal disease which causes white growth on the rose. It can damage long buds, meaning fewer flowers on the rose. Prune in the autumn and winter to increase air flow around the plant.

Roses can be made more resilient by providing them with a specialist feed. This will also prolong the flowering period and keep the leaves looking lush and green in the summer sun.

Encourage more blooms by continuing to deadhead roses. Cut back to the next bud behind any dead flowers.

Ornamental plants

What flowers and bulbs to plant in August

Plant bulbs and bulb-like corms now for a colourful display in the autumn. Plant them into pots or well-drained soil where they will receive plenty of sunlight:

  • Autumn-flowering Crocus
  • Colchicum
  • Cyclamen
  • Nerines
  • Sternbergia

Seeds of Centauria (Cornflowers), pansies and violas can also be sown now.

Flower and bulb maintenance in August

August is a very busy time in the garden. Thankfully the weather is usually warm and dry, so maintaining flowers and bulbs can be a good excuse to spend extra time outside in the garden:

  • Stake tall plants which are top heavy, such as dahlias and lilies. This protects them from snapping in strong winds, and means that the tubers, bulbs and root systems are not damaged by excessive movement.
  • Water flowers and bulbs in containers. The heat of August can quickly dry out pots. Water early in the morning or later in the evening, once they are no longer in direct sunlight.
  • Hanging baskets can be taken down in the evening and placed in a tray of water to help them take up water overnight.
  • Collect seeds from plants which you want to grow again next year, such as sweet peas, poppies, love-in-a-mist and any wildflower areas. The seeds should be dry and should rattle in their pods when you shake them.
  • Monitor for pests and diseases, such as lily beetles on lilies and fritillaries. These will strip plants very quickly, so destroy them by squishing any that you find.

Lawns

Lawn maintenance in August

  • Rake the lawn before you mow it. This helps the lawn mower to reach the weeds.
  • Mow weekly to encourage grass roots to regenerate themselves. This will encourage a thicker sward and mean it is more resilient to extremes of weather.
  • Cut to a height of 5cm long or more. This will help to protect the grass in very dry weather.
  • Leave the lawn clippings on the grass if you can. This helps the lawn to retain moisture and provides a useful source of nitrogen for the grass.
  • Strim any areas where you allowed wildflowers to grow, as these will now be past their best.

Watering your lawn in August

  • Water the lawn in spells of very dry weather to keep it looking green and lush. However, avoid using a sprinkler unless you are able to move it around frequently, as this can unnecessarily saturate the soil and discourage new grass from rooting strongly.
  • Don’t panic if your lawn goes brown in the heat of summer. It will recover in the autumn.
  • Aerate the lawn using a garden fork to help air and moisture to reach grass roots.

Lawn problems to look out for in August

  • Weed out dandelions with a daisy grubber, which pulls the long taproot from the soil. Dandelions seed themselves freely and create competition for the grass to reach moisture and essential nutrients.
  • Monitor for leatherjackets and treat if a nuisance.

Finishing touches to lawns in August

  • Keep lawn edges neat and crisp with edging shears. This above all else makes the garden look noticeably tidier.
  • Sow fresh grass seed in shallow pots or trays to fill any bare patches later in the autumn.
Things to do this month
Have a watering plan in place if you are going away. Ask friends, family and neighbours to pop in, or set up an automatic watering system.
Containers are especially vulnerable in hot weather as the plants in them have less soil from which to obtain water.
Keep paths looking good by dealing with any weeds that appear between the cracks.
Turn the compost heap. Keep it active, keep adding to it, and enjoy the many benefits that homemade compost will bring to your garden.
Leave a pile of twigs and seeds heads aside for wildlife to feast upon before they hibernate in the autumn.
Trim hedges before their growth slows in the autumn.
Pick pretty flowers, such as Dahlias, for displaying in the home or as a gift to a neighbour or friend.
Top up bird baths and ponds. Water will evaporate quickly in the heat of summer.
Make sure you have found time to sit back and relax in your beautiful garden!
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