August Jobs

What to do in the garden in August

August is about balance. The garden is still productive and colourful, but growth is starting to steady. Warm days and occasional showers create ideal conditions for both plants and pests, so consistent maintenance is essential.

Container plants, hanging baskets and newly planted shrubs are especially vulnerable to drying out. Water deeply and regularly, ideally early morning or late evening. Lawns may slow in extreme heat, so raise the mower height to reduce stress.

This is also a key harvest month. Fruit trees, soft fruit and vegetables are delivering crops that need picking promptly. Regular harvesting encourages continued production and keeps plants healthy.

Stay alert for pests and disease, particularly during humid spells when fungal issues and slugs become more active.

Ornamental garden jobs in August

• Continue deadheading, particularly dahlias, to prolong flowering.
• Keep on top of weeding to reduce competition for moisture.
• Mow lawns regularly and raise the cutting height in dry weather.
• Trim hedges now nesting season has finished.
• Water container grown plants and hanging baskets consistently.
• Cut and rake meadow areas once flowering finishes.
• Feed and treat roses where necessary.
• Plant autumn flowering bulbs such as colchicum.
• Trim lavender after flowering, leaving fresh green growth.
• Order spring flowering bulbs while availability is good.
• Ensure camellias receive adequate moisture to support bud formation.
• Clip evergreen shrubs to maintain shape.
• Collect seeds from established plants for next year.
• Prune current season wisteria growth back to five or six leaves.
• Mow summer flowering meadow areas once seed has dropped.

Vegetable garden jobs in August

• Finish harvesting garlic and onions, allowing them to dry properly.
• Sow oriental greens such as mizuna and pak choi for late season crops.
• Harvest apples and pears as they ripen.
• Plant new strawberry runners.
• Lift maincrop potatoes once foliage dies back.
• Summer prune trained fruit trees such as espalier apples and pears.
• Trim non fruiting grape shoots back to one leaf from the main branch.

Other essential garden tasks

• Keep bird baths topped up during warm spells.
• Monitor for pests and diseases regularly.
• Apply a lawn feed if growth has slowed or colour has faded.