Tips and Tricks for a Flourishing Garden
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In mid-August, the garden is likely to be a vibrant tapestry of summer blooms, ripening fruits, and lush greenery. However, this period also brings its own set of challenges, especially with changing climatic conditions. Balancing plant care with preparation for the changing season is key to maintaining a thriving garden. Here’s a guide to help you through mid-August gardening, with tips, potential problems, and solutions to keep your plants healthy and productive.
Harvesting and Pruning
Vegetable Harvesting:
August is a prime time for harvesting many summer vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and courgettes. Regularly picking these vegetables not only ensures the best flavour but also encourages further production. Pay close attention to your crops—tomatoes, for instance, should be picked when ripe, but remember to leave a really ripe tomato for seed-saving for the following year. Cucumbers however, are best when they’re firm and a deep green colour.
Dead-heading Flowers and Pruning:
By mid-August, many flowering plants are in full bloom, but some early bloomers may be starting to fade. Dead-heading, or removing spent flowers, encourages plants to focus their energy on producing more blooms rather than seeds. This is especially effective for annuals like marigolds, petunias, and geraniums. Buddleias also benefit from having their seed heads removed to encourage further flowers for butterflies and insects.
This is also an excellent time to prune summer-flowering shrubs after they’ve bloomed.
For instance,
- prune roses lightly and deadhead them to maintain their shape,
- trim back heathers after flowering but only to the lowest green shoots,
However, leave pruning lavender until the autumn when the flowers are spent. Many insects rely on lavender flowers for food and nectar during late summer.
Fruit trees such plum, cherry, apricots and peaches; and all other fruits with a kernel, should be pruned in late summer after the fruit has been picked. Always sterilise your tools when pruning.
Apple and pear trees can be lightly pruned in summer to maintain their shape but leave hard pruning until the winter period when the trees are dormant. The aim is to encourage the production of spurs on which the fruit will be produced the following year.
ATTENTION : Do not prune apple trees in summer that produce their fruit on the tip of the branch!
When apples fall prematurely, remove them immediately from around the tree and do not compost them. This will reduce the risk of spreading mildew, brown rot and other fungal or bacterial diseases.
Watering Wisely
Watering Schedule:
Mid-August can be particularly hot and dry, stressing your plants. Watering early in the morning or late in the evening reduces evaporation and ensures that more water reaches the roots. Deep watering is more beneficial than frequent, shallow watering as it encourages plants to develop deep root systems.
Mulching:
To retain moisture and reduce weed growth, consider adding a layer of mulch around your plants. Organic mulches like straw, compost, or shredded leaves are particularly beneficial as they gradually break down, adding nutrients to the soil. To reduce the spread of disease however, avoid using fallen leaves from apple trees.
Think about constructing a leaf-mould bin for the autumn. The leaves will rot down naturally and provide valuable humus for the garden next year.
Cool-Season Crops:
As summer wanes, it’s time to start thinking about autumn crops. In mid-August, you can begin planting cool-season vegetables like spinach, lettuce, radishes, and kale. These crops thrive in the cooler temperatures of autumn and can often be harvested well into the autumn and winter.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Aphids and Whiteflies:
Mid-August is notorious for pests like aphids and whiteflies. These tiny insects can quickly infest your plants, causing leaves to yellow and curl. Combat them by encouraging natural predators or using insecticidal soap such as a 10% dilution of Savon Noire in water. Regularly check the undersides of leaves where these pests often hide.
Blight and Mildew:
Fungal diseases such as blight and powdery mildew thrive in the warm, humid conditions typical of August. To prevent the spread, remove and destroy affected leaves immediately but do not compost them. Ensure good air circulation around plants, in particular outdoor tomatoes, by pruning overcrowded stems.
Slug and Snail Control:
Cooler evenings in August can bring out slugs and snails, which can devastate young plants. Use organic slug pellets, or create barriers using crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around vulnerable plants. Alternatively, place beer traps in the garden, as slugs are attracted to the yeast and will drown in the liquid.
Soil Care and Fertilization
Soil Testing:
Mid-August is a great time to test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. Soil testing kits are available at most garden centres and provide valuable insights into what your soil may be lacking. Adjusting the soil now, whether through the addition of lime to raise pH or compost to improve fertility, can benefit your autumn plantings and set the stage for next year’s growth.
Fertilization:
Continue to feed your garden with a balanced fertilizer, especially if your plants appear to be lagging. However, avoid over-fertilizing, especially with high-nitrogen fertilizers, as this can promote excessive foliage at the expense of fruit and flowers. Plan where you are going to sow green-manure crops for soil protection and improvement over winter.
Preparing for the Transition to Autumn
Composting:
As you prune and deadhead, don’t forget to add these trimmings to your compost pile but remember to exclude any diseased material. If you don’t already have a compost bin, now is an excellent time to start one. Composting not only reduces waste but also provides rich, organic material for your garden.
Plan for Autumn:
Begin planning your garden’s transition to autumn. This might involve rearranging plants, planting new bulbs for spring, or simply preparing beds for cooler weather. Take stock of what worked well this summer and what didn’t, and start making adjustments.
Finally
Gardening in mid-August is all about maintaining the summer garden while preparing for the autumn. By staying on top of harvesting, pruning, watering, and pest control, your garden can continue to flourish. At the same time, taking steps now to plant cool-season crops, care for your soil, and plan for the changing season will set the stage for a bountiful autumn garden.
Happy gardening!
