In this post, you will find the top 5 gardening jobs you can be getting on with, in your garden, in August in the UK. If you’re new to gardening and aren’t sure what jobs you should be getting on with this month then avid gardener, Jenny from @thelaundrygarden is here to share her top 5 gardening tips for the month.
Over to you Jenny…
I love the sun and the warm weather it brings, however, I’m by no means a sun worshiper! In fact, you’ll find me hidden away in the shadiest part of the garden on a hot sunny day.
Our trip to the RHS Tatton Flower show was a very enjoyable one, it had a very different look and feel about it, there must have been 40% fewer exhibitors than normal, and the floral marquee was quite sparse!
We were very good, and only bought ourselves a Ginko Biloba (Maidenhair tree) to replace one that had been damaged by rabbits (we think!)
It’s very rare for us to go away at this time of year, but for many of you, it’s primetime. I hear there’s another heatwave hitting the UK so good news if you’re staycationing.
However, if you’re going to be home, and looking for some jobs to do in the garden; here are my 5 jobs that you might like to be getting on with this month!
~ 1. Prune back rambling roses ~
If you’re growing or have inherited a rambling rose, now is the time to give it a prune. You might be thinking, “Hang on, that’s a winter job?!” Not for a rambler…
It’s quite straightforward to prune because it flowers on previous year’s growth, which means you can see the different types of shoots more easily.
All you need to do is prune back the old growth that has produced flowers this year, then tie in the new growth to replace it.
Here’s more information that includes a great demonstration video of Monty Don showing you how.
~ 2. Trim Lavender ~
Now is the best time to trim Lavender, to keep it neat and compact. All you need to do is cut away the flowers to about 2.5 cm below the flower stem, using a pair of good hand sheers. Try and keep in mind when doing this task, that lavender rarely grows again from old wood.
If the plant has become old and straggly, it’s probably best to take cuttings from them or to remove the old plant and replace it with a new one. If you have heavy clay soil it’s worth incorporating lots of course grit to improve drainage which they love!
For more useful information have a look at this link.
~ 3. Feed and water container plants
Feed and water container plants to help prolong their flowering and general health. For an all-round feed for shrubs, trees and temporary bedding plants, it’s well worth feeding them fortnightly.
I like to use Vitax organic liquid all-purpose plant feed.
~ 4. Continue deadheading flowering plants ~
Continue deadheading flowering plants to prevent their energy from being used to produce seeds and to keep them flowering well into autumn.
If you’re growing flowers especially for picking like sweet peas, dahlias, and cosmos, regular picking and deadheading is vital to keep promoting new shoots. You’ll find lots more useful advice here.
~ 5. Trim hedges ~
Most hedges will be coming to the end of their growing season towards the end of the month and can have their final trim to keep them looking in good shape.
We will be clipping our yew, beech and box this month.
If you have any large-leaved hedges like a laurel it’s usually recommended to use a pair of secateurs instead of hedge trimmers because they would cut through the big leaves causing them to go brown on the edges.
For more help and advice follow this link.
~ THIS MONTH’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION ~
Gardening with Drought Friendly Plants By Tony Hall
~ THIS MONTH’S INSTAGRAM PROFILE TO FOLLOW ~
Another fantastic list of super helpful gardening tips from Jenny there! As always huge thanks to Jenny for putting the list together.
If you’re reading this as a beginner gardener you may find this blog (also written by the lovely, Jenny) really helpful ~ 5 quick gardening tips for beginners.
Within the 3 acres of land that Jenny and her husband Tom, care for, they have also built The Laundry Retreat.
The retreat consists of 2 luxury roundhouses that have been specifically designed just for adults. Offering a wonderfully romantic setting, in a beautiful rural location.
We were extremely lucky to have the opportunity to stay in one of the roundhouses and you can read all about our stay here.
If you missed last month’s blog, you can read it by clicking here.
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