Garden Calendar - August

August is a very popular month among gardeners. Finally, the results of year-round effort are coming in the form of ripened fruits of many types of fruit and vegetables. Not that the harvest hasn't been ripening in previous months, but in August the harvest is usually the largest. Although the days are still warm, the nights are slowly reminding us that it's time to start thinking about the approaching autumn and winter. To help plants get through this period well, start preparing them now. The basic rule is - give the last fertilization to year-round grown plants, shrubs and lawns at the end of August, so they can mature properly before winter arrives.

What seeds to sow in August?

It's still possible to sow in August. After the harvest, beds have been freed up, so it would be a shame to leave them fallow. You can sow crops intended for autumn harvest and slowly work overwintering crops into the soil as well. August sowing suits most varieties of radishes. These are short-day plants that prefer rather lower temperatures when ripening. At high temperatures, radishes would form many leaves, but the bulbs would be small and thin. In August, you can still sow, for example, Chinese cabbage variety Monako, spinach varieties Carambole and Matador, head lettuce or lamb's lettuce. These plants will manage to grow without problems before the first frosts arrive. A plant that will be harvested early in spring but should go into the ground now is kale variety Kadet. This variety can withstand frost down to -15°C.

August is ideal for sowing radishes.

What garden tasks not to forget?

August still has many warm and dry days, so you mustn't forget regular watering of ripening plants, ornamental planters, and during prolonged drought, also sprinkling the lawn and trees. Add one last dose of fertilizer to the watering, preferably one designed specifically for this purpose. August is suitable for trimming hedges and for pruning and grafting fruit trees and conifers. Prune fruit trees only after the harvest has ripened; wait a bit longer with pruning peaches. For other trees, first remove all damaged branches and then shorten or completely remove excessively vigorous and too densely growing branches. Don't forget to remove diseased and pest-infested branches either. After harvesting, prune raspberry canes as well.

In August, it's time to plant some types of spring bulbs - plant snowdrop and snowflake bulbs. You'll still see flowers in autumn from autumn crocuses, colchicums and cyclamens if you manage to plant them in time.

Long gone are the days when bulbs were planted in beds; today, bulbs planted directly in the lawn are in vogue.

Diseases and Pests Need to Be Fought All Year Round - What to Do in August?

Even in August, you need to fight various diseases and pests, as there are still many crops at risk in the garden. Cabbage whites and their caterpillars continuously attack brassicas. Aphids attacking roses, fuchsias and other plants are active. Dry weather suits spider mites. You can declare war on these pests chemically or, even better, ecologically. Even though the harvest is over, it's necessary to eliminate the overpopulated codling moth, which attacks apple and plum trees, if needed. After harvest, you also need to treat gooseberries if American gooseberry mildew is rampant on them. To protect gooseberry bushes, you can choose, for example, the chemical preparation Discus or a biological product designed to protect against this disease - HF Mycol.

Take Care of Ornamental Plants in August Too.

Ornamental plants planted in window boxes or hanging baskets are still in full bloom, so don't stop regularly fertilising them and pinching off faded flowers. Flower containers maintained this way will bring you joy until the first frosts. Regular watering or using self-watering planters is still relevant. Ornamental plants planted in beds are also in full bloom. They too deserve watering with added fertiliser. You can pick a bouquet of echinacea for a vase. It will last a long time in the vase.

Echinaceas won't disappoint you - they last very long.

What to Do with Indoor Plants During August?

In August, houseplants have the same regime as in the previous month. If possible, continue summering them in a slightly shaded location. Water according to the needs of individual plants. You can still support growth by adding fertiliser to the watering, but at the end of August, fertilising should gradually decrease so that plants have time to prepare for the winter period spent indoors. Regularly check summering plants for any pests or diseases, most commonly you may encounter aphids and ants. If you find pests, take protective measures as soon as possible.

Reduce fertilising at the end of the month - most plants need to mature before autumn arrives.

Even Cacti and Succulents Follow the Calendar - What Benefits Them in August?

At the beginning of August, many cacti are still in full bloom, but gradually the number of flowers begins to decline. During hot summer days, cacti may experience a temporary growth halt (so-called summer stagnation), which is a natural reaction of cacti to "harsh" conditions. If you notice that your cacti are not growing much, reduce watering slightly to prevent excessive waterlogging and subsequent root rot. After temperatures drop, cacti will start growing again and you can water them thoroughly. At the beginning of the month, add fertilizer to the watering, but towards the end of the month, reduce fertilization for the same reasons as with other plants - cacti and succulents also need to "mature".

Cutting off the growing tip of indeterminate tomatoes will speed up ripening.

What Else is Good to Know in August? You Can Support the Ripening of Some Crops by Cutting the Growing Tip.

Although it may seem barbaric to cut off the top of a plant that could still produce more harvest, this is not the case. By cutting off the growing tip, you support faster ripening of the already "set" harvest. The plant will direct all its energy into existing fruits and won't unnecessarily exhaust itself by forming additional fruits that might not have time to ripen. This method is most commonly used with indeterminate tomatoes. Cutting off the top is also commonly seen with Brussels sprouts, as it promotes the growth of the sprouts.