August is the traditional holiday month, a time when we all seek a well-deserved rest. With most garden tasks complete, it’s perfect to relax and enjoy your garden. Whether you’re going away or staying home, prepare your garden to cope with the summer heat. Keep deadheading flowering plants, weeding, and, most importantly, water regularly. If you’re away, arrange for someone to water your garden. Automatic watering systems are affordable and useful this month.
Maintaining a neat garden will help it relax into a smooth transition to autumn. Another year has flown by so quickly, hasn’t it?
Monthly Reminders:
Flower Gardens: Continue deadheading and staking untidy plants. Farnborough Garden Centre offers “Link Stakes,” a real time-saver. Hoe around plants regularly to reduce weeds and aerate the soil. Watch for mildew, rust, blackspot, or aphids on roses and spray if needed. Mow lawns regularly but raise the blades during hot, dry spells.
Water Gardens: Monitor water levels in ponds and fountains, even small water features, to prevent pump damage. Ensure water is well-oxygenated for fish.
Pots and Containers: Maintain last month’s care to ensure displays last into autumn. There’s still time to add new pots and containers. We have a range on display with special deals on summer bedding and container plants.
Lawns: Next month is ideal for laying new turf or sowing lawn seed. Remove perennial weeds or spray with a Glyphosate-based weed killer. Hoe off annual weeds regularly and level the soil as it settles. Good preparation ensures lawn success when conditions are suitable.
Garden Birds: Keep bird baths and drinking fountains topped up, especially during dry spells.
Vegetables: Harvest vegetables while they are young and flavourful. Marrows and courgettes produce more if harvested regularly. Lift onions and shallots when the top growth collapses. Spinach, parsley, beetroot, carrots, lettuce, and turnips can be sown now.
Plants Looking Good Now:
Japanese Acers, Roses, Hydrangeas, Begonias, Clematis, Spiraea, Fuchsias, Perovskias, Hypericum, Buddleia, Photinias and Conifers
Our herbaceous plants are particularly attractive with lots of new growth and flowers. For a finishing touch to your garden, check out our summer range of arches, obelisks, trellis panels, rustic seats, metal patio sets, and decorative containers in various materials.