5+ Things to do in the August Garden

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The end of summer doesn’t have to mean the end of your gardening fun!

There are still plenty of things you can do in August to keep your garden looking its best. Check out these five must-do’s for your August garden.

In the northern hemisphere, August is typically the last month of summer vacation before children head back to school.

So the August garden may take a back seat to other activities but you can still keep it looking good.

For many gardeners, it is a time to harvest and prepare for the autumn months ahead.

Here are some tips on what to do in the garden in August.

Harvest fruits and vegetables

The August Garden is when we see our first tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers.

But others have been getting fresh produce from their plots much earlier. (I am jealous)

This is the time to enjoy the fruits of your labors! Make sure to pick produce regularly to prevent over-ripening and wasting food.

Preserve as you see fit or share with a local food bank.

Make notes on what has worked and what hasn’t. Getting a better yield next year may be only a matter of moving where you plant.

Don’t be afraid to put food crops in with your flower borders and vice versa.

You may be surprised how pretty a cucumber can be climbing a lovely obelisk alongside your Black Eyed Susans and Monarda!

Deadhead flowers

After spending all summer growing and blooming, many flowers will start to look a bit tired by August.

To promote new growth, deadhead (or remove spent blossoms from annual and perennial flowers.

Not sure how to deadhead? Check out this helpful tutorial.

Sow Cold Hardy Flowers

Do you have flowers that have already gone to seed? Some may be cold hardy and the best time to sow them is now.

Many flowers in my garden I leave to go to seed instead of deadheading. Some have seed heads that are very decorative while others I want to be able to spread in other areas.

These re-seeders often do much better than any I start indoors or plant from plugs.

I show you how you can do this in your garden here: Sow Your Seeds in Fall!

Not to be overlooked are veggies that like cooler temps as well.

Dig up and Divide Iris

The best time to divide bearded Iris is 6 to 8 weeks after blooming and on into September.

July is such a busy month for me that many times I do this chore in August and September.

Best Watering Practice

With the hotter temperatures of August, make sure to give your plants a deep watering so that their roots can grow strong and deep.

Water less frequently, but more deeply, to avoid encouraging shallow root systems.

This is how you should water from the beginning to encourage deep roots on all your plants.

Here in California we rarely if ever get summer rains so to conserve water and keep our garden looking good a drip or soaker hose system is ideal.

It not only saves water but when you use it correctly you can promote very deep roots of most of your plants.

I have roses that get deeply watered once every other week and they are healthy and full of flowers.

A product I have been using that also helps your plants develop deep roots is Organic Rev. I did an entire article on what it is and how it helps in the garden.

Prepare for Fall

August is a good time to start thinking about what you want to plant in your garden come autumn.

Start collecting seeds, ordering bulbs, and making plans for cool-weather crops.

This way, you’ll be prepared when the cooler temperatures roll around and are able to enjoy a beautiful fall garden.

August is a great time for me to start some cool-weather crops. I plant lettuce, radishes, broccoli, spinach, and more directly into the soil.

Keep an eye out for pests.

As the weather gets hotter, insects will be on the lookout for any chance to invade your garden. They like to target plants that are stressed from heat and dry conditions.

Be sure to check for aphids, spider mites, and other pests regularly and take action if necessary.

A little bit of prevention now will save you a lot of hassle later.

Stay Hydrated

August is typically a hot and dry month, which can take a toll on both you and your plants.

Make sure to keep yourself (and your garden) well-watered to avoid wilting, stress, and damage.

So in summary, your August garden chores are:

• deadhead flowers
• keep harvesting
• prep for Fall
• sow cold hardy flowers and veggies
• keep your eyes peeled for pests
• Order Spring bulbs
• keep yourself and your garden hydrated

So there you have it, five things to do in your garden in August. Now get out there and enjoy the last few weeks of summer while you can!

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