Gardening Tips for August
Summer is winding down, but there’s still plenty to do in the garden in August. Here are some tips:
Deadheading and Seed Saving
As the early summer blooms fade, it’s time to deadhead spent flowers to encourage new growth and flowering. However, leave rose hips and seedheads on plants like knapweed, teasel, and sunflowers to provide food for the birds.
August is also a great time to collect and store seeds for next year’s garden. Simply allow the seeds to ripen on the plant, then collect them and store them in a cool, dry place.
Pruning Rambling Roses
Rambling roses are beautiful when they’re allowed to grow freely through trees, but those growing up walls need regular pruning and training. We recommend removing old wood and tying in new growth that will carry next year’s flowers.
Adding Shrubs to Bare Borders
If you have any bare spots in your borders, August is a good time to add some shrubs. We suggest using plants like Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ and Hypericum x hidcoteense ‘Hidcote’ to fill in the gaps.
Planting a Mediterranean Herb Pot
Mediterranean herbs are ideal for container gardening because they love full sun and are drought-tolerant. We recommend planting a herb pot with prostrate rosemary, lemon thyme, and common thyme.
Propagating Philadelphus
Philadelphus is a beautiful shrub that can be easily propagated by cuttings.
Other Gardening Jobs for August
In addition to the tasks listed above, we also recommend:
- Sowing crops like salad leaves and winter radish
- Selecting plants that can cope with heatwave conditions
- Choosing drought-tolerant Mediterranean herbs for containers
- Cutting back herbs to keep them looking good for years
By following these tips, you can keep your garden looking its best all summer long.
