In August we’ll be balancing our efforts between enjoying the here and now and preparing plants to be in the best possible shape for next year.

For next year, this is an ideal time to prune shrubs and trees that have already flowered. Wisteria, hebes, lavenders, apples and pears (especially restricted forms such as cordons and espaliers) can all be pruned now to promote the production of flowering wood for next year. In similar vein Camellias and Rhododendrons are setting next year’s flower buds now, so if we get a hot dry spell; it could be worth watering them to ensure the production of healthy buds.

With the soil now nice and warm, it is the perfect time to apply nematodes for slug control. Remember that nematodes for slugs tend to have little effect on snails as the nematodes live below ground whilst snails are surface dwellers.

It is also a good time to apply nematodes for vine weevil control. The notched edges to leaves that are a sure sign of vine weevils are not that damaging, but the grubs that are living underground can have a devastating effect on roots, especially for container plants.  For a full story on vine weevils have a look at the RHS web site.

In August there is plenty to enjoy in the flower borders, many of the Asteraceae (daisy) family are at their peak and regular cutting of Dahlias, Gazanias, Sunflowers Argyranthemums, Tagetes and Zinnias will keep them flowering well into the autumn.  Our Dahlia bed on the allotment is coming into full bloom and will give us cut flowers for the house right through the summer and early autumn.

Dahlia Bed

In the kitchen garden, the main job is to keep picking and eating. Courgettes, beans, and salad leaves will all benefit from regular cropping. Some produce is ideal for simple freezing (e.g. beans just need blanching and dividing up into portions).  Others like tomatoes are best cooked and then frozen to give a taste of summer in the dark winter months.  Given a blight free summer we’d hope to have many boxes of ratatouille, roast tomatoes and pasta sauces in the freezer by the end of September.