August often teases us with the first true signs of spring. A run of mild, sunny days can have both gardeners and plants believing winter is behind them, but experience tells us there is usually one last burst of cold before the seasons finally turn. As daylight hours lengthen, dormant plants begin to stir, and fresh growth emerges, making this a particularly vulnerable time in the garden. Enjoy the early magnolias and blossoms, but remember that late frosts can still damage tender new growth and delicate fruit blossom.
The recent warmth will help dry heavy, waterlogged soils, making it a good time to check for areas where water lingers. Plants left in wet ground for too long can suffer root damage. To improve drainage, create channels to carry excess water away or add stones/gravel beneath newly planted shrubs and trees.
Gardens that missed an autumn application of compost will still benefit from a generous layer spread over the soil. Earthworms will gradually work the organic matter into the ground, improving soil structure before spring growth begins.
August is an ideal month for pruning. Finish winter rose pruning if you haven't already, remove all prunings and old leaves, then feed with manure-enriched compost, blood and bone, or a quality rose fertiliser.
Wisterias can have long, whippy leaders removed, keeping only the main framework. Avoid cutting back flowering spurs now, as next season's flower buds are already forming.
Many deciduous shrubs can now be rejuvenated. Remove old wood from weigelas and spireas, trim berberis, cut buddleias back hard to encourage fresh silvery growth, and clip away the old stems from catmint.
Hydrangeas will be showing swelling buds; prune old flowering stems back to the second pair of buds from the branch bottom while leaving non-flowering shoots untouched, as these will carry new season's blooms. Thick, woody hydrangea cuttings can also be taken now and rooted in damp river sand.
Winter gardens are brightened by hellebores, which are now attracting bees on mild days. Once pollinated, their seed heads begin to develop and the flower stems become firm enough for picking. Seedlings often appear beneath established plants and can be transplanted after their second year, although patience is required as they may take four years to flower.
Snow-damaged marguerite daisies are best left alone until frosts have finished. The damaged growth helps protect the healthy shoots beneath, and they will quickly recover once cut back to sound wood in spring.
This is also the perfect time to plan new plantings. As gardens mature, increasing shade often means sun-loving perennials need relocating while woodland plants such as hostas, pulmonarias, hellebores, astilbes, foxgloves and Solomon's Seal can take their place. Planting generous drifts of the same variety creates far greater impact than scattering individual specimens throughout a border.
Seed sowing will now be well underway. Sow hardy flowers and vegetable seeds into trays and place in a warm, bright position. Once seeds germinate, prick out into punnets and move seedlings to cooler conditions to harden them before planting.
Lawns start to come back this month and will respond to a dressing of lawn fertiliser to give them a boost.
Fruit trees continue to arrive in garden centres, making August an excellent month for planting. Compact varieties like dwarf peaches and nectarines are ideal for smaller gardens, as are the slim-growing Ballerina apples. Apply a dressing of potash around fruiting trees and bushes to encourage strong flowering and fruit production. Watch peach trees carefully as buds begin to swell and apply a copper spray at bud burst to help prevent leaf curl.
Gooseberries also benefit from winter pruning. Remove crossing branches, lift low growth clear of the ground and open the centre of the bush to make picking much easier and improve air circulation. Any low branches that have rooted into the soil can be lifted and potted to produce vigorous new plants.
Grapevines should also be pruned before the sap rises by shortening side shoots back to two buds along the fruiting leaders. Strawberries thrive well in raised garden beds, containers, or hanging baskets, provided they receive plenty of sunlight.
Vegetables: Protect tender vegetable seedlings with netting or frost cloth, as hungry birds can quickly strip fresh young growth as they start nesting soon. Broad beans, peas, garlic and shallots can all be planted into well-drained soil, while seed potatoes can be chitted in a cool, dry place ready for planting.
Cheers, Linda.
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