Hello there, and a big, cheerful welcome to August! In the U.K., this is traditionally the month when we pack up our suitcases, slap on the sunscreen, and enjoy a well-deserved break, whether we’re jetting off to somewhere exotic or simply unwinding in our own gardens.
Those gardens are currently showcasing a glorious array of colours and scents, offering a feast for the senses as the fruits of our hard work from the past months come into full bloom. It’s the ideal time to sit back, relax, and admire the beautiful scenes that Mother Nature has so generously provided.
Even if you’re planning on taking some time away from home this month, your garden still requires a little tender loving care to make sure it survives the full-on summer heat. This means we need to keep deadheading flowering plants, persist with weeding, and keep those watering cans and hoses at the ready. If you’re venturing off on holiday, it might be a good idea to ask a neighbour or a friend to help with watering. Or, you might want to explore the convenience of automatic watering systems or the good old soaker hose, which could become your best friend this month. They’re not too harsh on the wallet either!
August is also the perfect month to ensure everything is neat and tidy in our green spaces. As we wave goodbye to August and start sensing the crisp, cool hints of Autumn, we may start to reflect on how quickly time flies by. Doesn’t it feel like just yesterday we were welcoming the new year?
Here are some handy tips and reminders to keep your garden looking its best this August:
Flower Gardens:
Remember to continue deadheading your flowering plants. If some are looking a bit unruly, consider staking them. You might want to try out the ‘Link Stakes’ available at Farnborough Garden Centre. They are real lifesavers! Regular hoeing around your plants will help reduce weeds and expose dry soil. Be sure to keep an extra watchful eye on roses this month and use the appropriate treatment if you notice any signs of mildew, rust, blackspot, or aphids. Mow your lawns regularly, but don’t forget to raise the blades during those sizzling hot, dry spells.
Water Gardens:
If you have a pond or fountain, ensure that water levels are maintained. This is crucial, even for smaller water features, to prevent damage to pumps. Also, if you have fish, it’s imperative to keep the water well oxygenated.
Pots and Containers:
Continue the care outlined in July to ensure your displays last well into the Autumn. There’s still time to add new pots and containers to your existing arrangements or even create brand new ones. Our massive range at the Farnborough Garden Centre, coupled with our ‘Summer Saver’ deals on summer bedding and container plants, can help you keep your additional displays affordable.
Lawns:
If you’re considering laying new turf or sowing lawn seed, start your preparation work now. Good preparation is the foundation of a flourishing lawn. Make sure perennial weeds are removed completely while you’re digging over the soil. You might want to consider using a Glyphosate-based weed killer while the weeds are still in full growth. Remember, Glyphosate takes a couple of weeks to work its magic, so patience is key here! Keep removing any annual weeds as they germinate and keep levelling the soil as it settles after digging.
Bird Watchers:
Remember to keep bird baths and drinking fountains topped up. Our feathered friends will greatly appreciate it, especially during dry spells.
Vegetable Gardens:
Continue to harvest your vegetables while they’re young for the best flavour. Regular harvesting will also encourage more production. Lift onions and shallots when their top growth starts to collapse. Too many runner beans? No worries! You can freeze or salt them if the harvest is more than you can immediately consume. Don’t forget to sow spinach, parsley, beetroot, carrots, lettuce, and turnips at this time, and make sure to stay on top of watering, feeding, and weeding.
Here are the star players in your garden this month:
Japanese Acers, Roses, Hydrangeas, Begonias, Clematis, Spiraea, Fuchsias, Perovskias, Hypericum, Buddleia, Photinias, and Conifers.
Our herbaceous plants are looking particularly vibrant and captivating, putting on quite a show with fresh new growth and beautiful blooms.
If you’re looking to add that final dash of charm to your garden, perhaps in the form of an arch, obelisk, trellis panels, rustic seats, metal patio sets, or screening panels, come and check out our Summer range at Farnborough Garden Centre. We also have an extended range of decorative containers in terracotta, fibre clay, plastic, timber, and resin. You’re bound to find something new and exciting to add that little something extra to your garden space.
And there you have it – your comprehensive guide to getting the best out of your garden this August. Whether you’re staying at home or heading off for a break, these tips should help you keep your garden in peak condition while you enjoy the summer.
As always, we’re eager to see you at Farnborough Garden Centre. Please don’t hesitate to pop by and have a chat. We’re here to help with advice, supplies, and maybe even a story or two about our own garden triumphs and challenges.
Wishing you all a very happy holiday season. Enjoy the summer warmth and sunshine! We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Happy Gardening, Pete.
