What to do in the garden in August

What to do in the garden in August

We at Barbed have hand-picked the best of the garden chores for August and set them into a handy task-list for you. While the list is undoubtedly somewhat shorter than for many other months, there are still jobs to be done.

Cut back the foliage of early blooming plants, as this will revitalise the plants. Weed your garden. Whether you have a sizeable garden or a small yard or balcony of pots, this is a job worth doing. Cut back foliage and remove dead blooms to rejuvenate and prolong flowering. August emphasis can be on general grooming and weed maintenance.
Water your garden well. In (theoretically) one of the driest months, this is an important task!
Take pictures of your garden at its peak of flowering. You will love to look back on these during the darker, dismal winter months and it will give you ideas for planting out and nurturing your garden in the forthcoming year.
Fancy something different next year? A colour-themed garden? An oriental grass themed garden? Pictures of your current gardening space will provide inspiration for something new and be a realistic reminder of what is possible and what is not.
Plant your allotment vegetables. Leeks, oriental greens, courgettes, pumpkins and mustard all like to go into the ground in August. As well as these suggestions, try lettuce, spinach, carrots and radishes.
Vegetables of course, need to be nurtured and given their own devoted space and required depth, so make sure your garden space accommodates this, if you have limited ground available.
Plant a crop of spring garlic. What could be more useful in the kitchen than garlic?
Lawn maintenance. Ah, yes, mowing the lawn. Not everybody’s favourite, but it needs doing. Keep your lawn well watered and pruned to keep it green and lush.
If you have a garden bird bath, keep the water changed regularly. This is something many people forget about, but standing water is less healthy for the birds and may provide a breeding ground for mosquito larvae.
Has your garden furniture been ravaged by inclement (or at least erratic) weather? This drier month could be a good time to make those repairs and do any painting or treating.
Most of all, in August you should enjoy your garden. This is the month of calm, the last of the summer. We suggest you grab a fine day, a glass of wine, a comfortable recliner and… enjoy.

Posted by Iconography Ltd
1st August 2012
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