Diamond Doctor
August Hints & Tips
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 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
- Radish
- Rocket
- Spinach
- Spring cabbage
- Spring onions (winter varieties)
- Turnips
They will give you a crop into late Autumn and beyond.
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
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!