Jobs for August
Gardening Tasks for August: Sustaining the Summer Garden
August is a month of maturity in the garden. Borders are full, harvests are plentiful, and the focus shifts to maintaining colour, encouraging continued productivity, and preparing for the transition into autumn. With a little consistent care, your garden will keep performing beautifully.
Planting & Sowing
You can still sow fast-growing crops like salad leaves, spinach, and spring onions for late-season harvests. It’s also the perfect time to sow hardy annuals and some perennials for next year. Consider planting autumn-flowering bulbs like nerines to extend seasonal interest.
Watering & Feeding
Continue watering regularly, especially during dry spells. Containers, hanging baskets, and greenhouse plants will still need frequent attention—often daily. Keep feeding flowering plants and crops such as tomatoes and peppers to maintain strong performance.
Lawn Care
Lawns may still be under stress from summer heat. Raise the mower blades and avoid cutting during very dry periods. If rain returns, you can resume regular mowing and even consider a late-summer feed to freshen things up.
Borders & Beds
Deadheading remains important to keep displays looking fresh and encourage further blooms. Some perennials may be starting to fade—cut these back to tidy borders and make room for later performers. Keep weeding and consider light mulching if the soil is dry.
Fruit & Veg
Harvesting continues—beans, courgettes, tomatoes, and soft fruits should be picked regularly. Begin to lift and store onions and garlic once foliage starts to yellow. This is also a good time to start thinking about autumn crops and clearing space as plants finish.
Greenhouse & Pots
Maintain good ventilation in the greenhouse and keep shading in place if needed. Water consistently and feed regularly. Refresh tired containers with late-summer plants to keep displays colourful into early autumn.
Pruning & Maintenance
Trim hedges for the last time this season to keep them neat going into autumn. Prune summer-flowering shrubs once they finish, and continue cutting back herbs to promote fresh growth. Take cuttings from favourite plants to propagate for next year.
Wildlife & General Care
Keep providing water for wildlife during warm weather. Late-summer flowers are vital for pollinators building reserves, so try to keep something in bloom. Consider leaving some seed heads to provide food for birds later on.
Looking Ahead
August is also a planning month. Take note of what’s worked well and what hasn’t, and start thinking about autumn planting and improvements for next year.
The garden may be starting to mellow, but August still offers colour, flavour, and plenty to enjoy—alongside the satisfaction of a season well underway.