With plenty of warm days anticipated in August, it’s the perfect time to get out into the garden and get some jobs done. Although most gardens are in full bloom this month, there are still some key tasks that can benefit your garden in the months to come and encourage more blooms from certain flowers.
Deadhead dahlias
August is the perfect time to deadhead dahlias and other perennials to encourage more flowers to bloom. According to Gardeners World, this could lead to a “constant display of blooms.”
Deadheading is the process of removing dead or fading blooms from a live plant. By removing the spent flowers, it encourages the plant to create more blooms.
You can expect to deadhead dahlias every few days during the high season. Using a pair of clean, sharp pruning sheers or scissors, cut just above either a new set of leaves, a new bud or a side steam. This way you won’t be left with unsightly, headless stems.
Prune roses and lavender
Pruning lavender and roses can keep your plants looking tidy. For lavender, it’s best to prune once flowering is over to maintain a compact, bushy shape. However, Gardeners World urges gardeners to “avoid cutting into old wood”.
Similarly, August is also a good time to prune rambling roses. Gardeners World suggests removing up to a third of stems that have flowered, and tying the rest to supports.
Water regularly
As the weather is likely to be warm and sunny, gardeners may need to increase their watering schedule. It’s best to water plants early in the morning or in the evening, and avoid watering plants in the peak heat of the day.
Pots and hanging baskets may need to be watered multiple times a day during heatwaves. In order to ensure you aren’t over-doing it, you can do a soil test for potted plants. Simply dip your finger up to one inch into the soil. If it is moist, your plant does not need watering but if it is dry then it is time to water.
Sow hardy annuals
August is a great time to start preparing for future blooms. By sowing hardy annuals in sunny spots now, you can provide early summer colour next year. It’s a good idea to sow seeds in neat rows as this makes them easier to weed.
You should also thoroughly water the ground before sowing your seeds.
Plant autumn bulbs
August is a good time to think ahead to the autumn. You can plant several autumn bulbs, such as colchicums, sternbergia and nerines, in pots and borders.
You should aim to plant your bulbs two to three times deeper than the size of the bulb and water well in dry conditions.