To Do List: August in the Garden
As we bask in the lazy days of summer, it might feel like our work in the garden is complete, and we can simply relish the fruits of our earlier labour. However, for dedicated gardeners, there’s no time to rest! August offers a perfect opportunity to prepare our gardens for the delightful autumn ahead. Here’s a comprehensive to-do list to ensure your garden remains vibrant and beautiful:
- Watering Matters: Despite the cooler weather approaching, don’t neglect watering your plants. Trees and shrubs still require regular watering to thrive and stay healthy.
- Tackle Weeding: Keep those pesky weeds at bay. Regular weeding prevents them from competing with your plants for essential water and nutrients.
- Mulch Refreshment: In dry and sparse areas of your garden, replenish the mulch. This helps retain moisture and keeps the soil insulated during colder months.
- Remove Diseased Foliage: Take action against any diseased foliage you spot. Promptly dispose of it in the garbage to avoid contaminating your compost or mulch.
- Prune Summer Flowering Shrubs: As the summer blooms fade away, it’s time to prune your summer flowering shrubs. Proper pruning promotes healthy growth and prepares them for next year’s blooms.
- Welcome Fall Colour: Add some vibrant fall-coloured plants to your garden. Consider Rudbeckia, Burning Bush, or Boston Ivy to infuse your space with autumn hues.
- Label Perennials: Mark your perennials, especially those that die back during winter. Clear labels will help you identify them when they emerge again next spring.
- Deadheading Duties: Continue to deadhead flowers as needed. Removing spent blooms encourages the growth of fresh flowers.
- Maintain Annuals: Keep watering and fertilizing your annuals. Replace tired and spent annuals with fall-friendly options like garden mums or other seasonal plantables.
- Plan for Spring Bulbs: Start envisioning where you’ll plant your spring bulbs and which varieties you’d like to experiment with this year (tulips, daffodils, crocus, etc.).
- Harvest Vegetables: Continue harvesting your homegrown vegetables. Provide support to large tomato and bean plants through staking. Additionally, sow any fall crops you wish to enjoy, such as kale, cabbage, spinach, and radish.
- Preserve Herbs: Harvest herbs for immediate use or preservation. Drying herbs is an excellent way to extend their usability; CLICK HERE to learn more about drying herbs.
- Lawn Care: Show some love to your lawn by aerating and dethatching it. Reseed any bare spots to promote a lush, green carpet. If the summer has been wet, consider fertilizing your lawn for extra nourishment.
By following this August garden to-do list, you’ll ensure that your garden remains a vibrant and delightful haven as you transition from summer to the beautiful autumn season. Happy gardening!
