August jobs for the garden

As we hit August, plants are in full bloom bringing a gorgeous array of colour and insect action as we hear the familiar sounds of bees buzzing and crickets chirping! Crops are growing, the harvest has started, but those pesky pests are on the rampage.

When the weather is this hot, we need to be extra vigilant in the garden. Not only do we need to continue to water and feed, but we need to ensure ponds are topped up and all the hard work done through winter and spring is not destroyed by aphids and other bugs looking for a free lunch.

July was hot, and as we head into another hot month, take time to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Bees will be buzzing and so should you!

Harvest time!

• Crops planted earlier in the year will now be ready for harvest. Potatoes, peas, beans and beetroot should be ready, or almost ready, to pick.
• Harvest garlic once the tops turn yellow and start to bend over.
• Regularly pick runner beans to prevent them getting stringy.
• Pick salad leaves and radishes and replant for a regular supply. Take a look at the ‘How to get the best from salad leaves’ blog for some handy tips.
• Harvest nectarines, apricots and peaches as they ripen.
• Pick courgettes before they get too big and turn to marrows.
• Earth up main crop potatoes to prevent greening.
• Thin out apple, pears and plums. Removed damaged or small fruits to give extra growing energy to healthier fruits.
• Summer is a time for feeding. Feed chillies and cucumbers with a high potash feed to encourage fruiting. They should be ready to harvest near the end of the month.
• Tomatoes need to be watered daily and fed weekly as they are greedy feeders. Try Vitax Organic Tomato Food to supercharge those toms.
• Whilst all crops will need to be regularly watered, pumpkins and celery all require extra attention. Similar to tomatoes, they are greedy feeders.
• To save time, feed crops with a good all-round feed such as Vitax Fruit & Vegetable Feed or Vitax Organic All Purpose Plant Food.
• For a sustained release of nutrients, lightly hoe in Vitax Q4 around the base of plants and water.
• Citrus plants should now be outside. Feed with Vitax Citrus Feed or Vitax Citrus Summer Feed. If your citrus plants need some attention, take a look at the ‘How to keep citrus healthy’ blog.
• Protect developing fruits from birds by putting a mesh around the plant.
• Cover brassicas with a fine mesh to prevent cabbage white butterflies laying eggs. Apply cabbage collars to prevent cabbage root fly too.
• Regularly check crops for aphids and other bugs. Remove and apply Vitax Organic Plant Guard to protect against further infestation.
• Keep sowing crops such as turnips, cabbage, chard, spring onions, garlic and onions sets.
• For a Christmas harvest, plant cold-stored potato tubers in large pots and keep cool.

Flower power

• Continue to deadhead and feed summer bedding. Deadheading will encourage growth. Vitax Q4 Liquid Feed is a good, general feed for all plants.
• Deadhead and feed roses with Vitax Organic Liquid Rose Food.
• Dahlias look stunning in the garden and are great for late summer colour. Regularly feed with Vitax Liquid Dahlia Feed and as they grow, stake to prevent stem damage.
• Cut back early perennials such as geraniums and delphiniums.
• Prune the wispy side shoots from wisteria.
• Make sure all tall plants are supported in case we get some blowy weather.
• Keep an eye out for hydrangea scale on newly blossomed hydrangea. Take a look at the ‘Getting the best from hydrangeas’ blog for some great tips.
• Take cuttings from patio plants ready for next year. ‘How to take cuttings’ is a great place to start if you haven’t taken cuttings before.
• Keep rhododendrons well-watered through late summer as they start to flower. Add a good liquid feed once a week, such as Vitax Liquid Ericaceous Feed.
• Water and feed sweet peas regularly. They make great flowers for cutting and smell gorgeous. As they start to fade, gather seeds for next year’s planting.
• Moving indoors, water and regularly feed houseplants. Use a good all-round feed, or a specialist feed for the best results.
• Re-pot houseplants once they become top heavy.
• There is a huge variety of houseplants and caring for each is different. The ‘Caring for houseplants’ blog is a great place to start for guidance.
• Dust houseplants that collect dust, or if they are large, take outside and gently remove by sprinkling water and wiping the surface of each leaf.
• Dare we say it, its time to start planting autumn bulbs!

General maintenance

• Lawns may look brown at this time of year, but they will soon bounce back when watered. Feed with Vitax Green Up Enhance Liquid Lawn Feed for an added boost.
• As the weather is hot, raise the mower and just take the top off the lawn to prevent too much stress.
• Dig out stubborn or large weeds in the lawn.
• Water newly seeded or turf to establish growth.
• Keep an eye on ponds and bird baths, top up as necessary.
• Dampen the floor of the greenhouse every morning to increase humidity.
• Hoe borders and lightly hoe vegetable patches to remove weeds.

The summer months are really heating up, but as we hit mid-season, remember to enjoy your garden. After all, all that hard work needs rewarding and sitting outside during the long summer days is a great way to relax and plan for next year!