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Hi folks!
As I start to write our August blog I am very conscious of how dry the ground has become here in Devon. After nearly spraining my wrist by jabbing down into what felt like concrete, I departed in search of my trusted ‘pick-axe’ - and problem solved! Normal service was resumed and normal soil resumed! Just a ‘bone-dry soil crust!
A few days ago I drove up to Devizes to see relatives. On the way back and passing a corn field, I had the impression that the crop looked very ‘thin’. On further investigation, I noted that many ‘heads’ contained no seeds. A casualty of the dry early spring and summer.
Hopefully some parts of the county have fared better than others but I think crops will be reduced.
Anyway! Time to take a look at our own gardens and how they are doing in August:
It’s been a hot dry summer and not good for our lawns!
So your main task is to see your lawn through this difficult time!
Don’t worry if your lawn looks very sick and brown, the first rains of autumn will turn them green again!
If it’s necessary to mow, set the mower blades as high as possible so as not to cause extra stress to the grass ‘sward.’
Consider removing the ‘grass collector’ on the mower and leave the cuttings to form a ‘mulch’ on the lawn surface and retain moisture.
When the rain arrives and the lawn is looking a pale brown/green, it is not too late in the year to apply a ‘high Nitrogen’ liquid feed to bring back that ‘emerald’ green lawn again!
Some lawns may become infested with Ants in the summer. The best treatment is probably to brush away surface nests with a stiff brush.
Give some thought to the autumn. Some of the fine leave grasses in your lawn may have perished in the dry weather, so consider over-sowing with a fine quality lawn seed when the surface is moist.
Let’s start with one of the most important things in what is normally the hottest month of the year. Keep a close eye on containers like hanging baskets, tubs and other containers. In the August heat they can dry out quickly – they may need watering twice a day – Sorry!!
Don’t forget to ‘dead head’ most of your flowering plants as the flowers wither. This encourages new blooms and extends your plants flowering life.
Continue to cut flowers destined for the house for the same reason.
It’s time to sow items known as ‘hardy annuals’ normally sown in the spring e.g. Californian poppy, calendulas or cornflowers. They are a great way of providing bright colour to your early summer border next year!
Some perennials (flower year after year), such as siberian wallflower can also be sown at this time to flower next year onwards. If you love wild flowers you can sow primroses and cowslips.
Let some plants of annuals and perennials go to seed. Harvest the seed when ripe, keep in a dry place and you have free seeds to use next year!
Stake tall perennial plants to prevent wind damage!
Start purchasing and planting bulbs this autumn for your spring displays.
Key to the success of your August garden is to be regular with your watering. It really is essential for succulent vegetables packed full of goodness!
In the greenhouse, keep up the feeding with high potash feeds for better crops.
Not already removed the tops of tomatoes?
Do this when 5-6 potential trusses of fruit have formed, then pinch out the main growing point. This will encourage existing fruit to grow and ripen.
Remove basal leaves to improve air circulation and deter fungal diseases.
Limit aubergines to 5-6 fruit per plant to encourage fruit ripening.
Water and feed sweet corn outside to swell those delicious cobs.
Of course, August is a time of harvesting and gardeners are going to be rather busy for the next couple of months!
Here in Devon, I have now lifted my crops of first and second crop potatoes. According to where you are in the country, it’s time to move on to maincrop varieties as the plant leaves turn yellow.
Continue to pick runner and french beans to encourage further cropping.
With all the harvesting, don’t forget your sowing!
There is still time for ‘quick-growing’ crops such as lettuce, salad leaves, rocket, radishes, spinach and baby turnips.
Plant up winter brassicas for spring crops.
It’s also time to plant spring cabbage for late winter/spring cropping.
We are going to be busy!!
Hopefully you have had a good harvest from your soft fruit bushes. It’s important now to build up the structure of the bushes by keeping them well watered and fed with a potash fertilizer.
‘Cane fruit’ like raspberries (other than autumn fruited types), can be cut down to grow again in the spring. Blackberries too can be pruned at this time.
August is the time for harvesting ‘top fruit’ such as early apples, cherries, plums, nectarines and peaches.
So much to do at this time, but it’s also time for propagating new strawberries. Peg down strong growing healthy runners to root and be separated later.
It’s important to water camellias and rhododendrons well at this time of year as they are currently forming flower buds for next year
Prune summer flowering shrubs when flowering is complete. Remove damaged or diseased shoots. This will encourage new shoots and keep the gardens tidy.
Finally a couple of ‘hints & tips' for next month!
Fancy some new potatoes on your Christmas table?
Time then to plant some up in pots and get them growing!
Time too to think of about ordering your spring flowering bulbs for great spring colour!
Hot weather results in evaporation from garden ponds, so remember to ‘top up’ water levels!
