This month is full of sunshine and colour in the garden. With flowers still blooming and soaring temperatures there’s lots to keep us busy. If you're wondering what jobs to do in the garden in August, these three tasks will help your plants and wildlife thrive through the final weeks of summer.
Make a wildlife watering station
Fresh water is vital for bees, butterflies and even hedgehogs, so it's really important to make sure there’s a source of water available for wildlife in your garden.
If you don't have a pond, water feature or bird bath, you can simply use a terracotta tray. I like to fill mine with a few stones so that any smaller creatures can safely drink without falling into the water.
Simply add some fresh water and make sure to clean out your tray when needed. Keeping your wildlife watering station topped up daily will help garden visitors stay hydrated throughout the warmer months, especially during a heatwave.
Deadhead blooms to encourage more flowers
Next, spend some time removing any faded blooms from your repeat-flowering plants.
Plants such as hanging baskets are a great example, as they will continue flowering if you remove the dead flowers instead of allowing them to go to seed. You can also do this with plants such as cosmos, dahlias and roses. Removing faded blooms will help encourage your plants to produce more flowers throughout the rest of summer, keeping your garden looking colourful for longer.
Using plant feed is also a great way to keep everything looking it’s best at this time of year.
Water your plants wisely
Finally, make sure you're watering your garden wisely.
While temperatures are warmer, it's best to water either early in the morning or in the evening. This means there will be less evaporation, and your plants have more chance of absorbing as much water as possible.
When you water, try to water right at the base of the plant so it reaches the roots. Avoid watering the leaves, as this is less effective. It's also better to water deeply rather than little and often.
Make sure you prioritise your pots, hanging baskets and newly planted areas, as these will need the most attention during warmer weather. Watch this reel for more handy heatwave watering tips.
