What to do in the garden in August?

In August, the garden is in full bloom. Plants are at the peak of their growth, the vegetable garden is bursting with ripe vegetables, flowers are glowing, and fruit trees are bearing fruit. Yet, despite its lush appearance, the garden needs careful care to stay healthy in the face of summer temperatures and frequent drought. Here are the main tasks to do to maintain your garden in August, keeping the soil fresh, crops healthy, and the vegetable garden productive.

August is a great time for harvesting. Tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, aubergines and beans are at their peak. It is essential to pick vegetables regularly to stimulate continued production and prevent them from spoiling. Lettuces, radishes and herbs can be harvested as needed. It is also a good time to pick the first fruits of the season, such as plums, peaches and figs, and to keep an eye on apple and pear trees, whose fruit is starting to ripen. For well-stocked vegetable gardens, August is ideal for preparing preserves, jams or other preparations to enjoy the harvest all year round.

August is also an opportunity to prepare for the fall harvest by sowing new seeds. Radishes, spinach, carrots and winter lettuce can be sown directly in the ground. These vegetables will benefit from the warmth of the soil to germinate quickly and will be ready to be harvested in the fall or even in winter, depending on the varieties and the climate. Cabbage, leeks, broccoli and turnips can also be transplanted to supplement summer crops. These late plantings will diversify the harvests during the cooler months and extend the productivity of the vegetable garden until the first frosts.

In August, high temperatures can quickly dry out the soil, especially during heat waves. Watering is essential to avoid water stress in plants, which slows their growth and reduces the quality of the harvest. It is advisable to water abundantly but less often to encourage deep rooting. The best time to water is early in the morning or in the evening, in order to limit evaporation. Mulching is a valuable aid in retaining soil moisture. A layer of straw, compost or wood chips around the plants of tomatoes, zucchini and other vegetables helps to limit drought and reduce the frequency of watering. Mulching also prevents the growth of weeds, which compete with plants for water and nutrients.

Summer flowers are in full bloom, but to keep your garden harmonious and colorful, it is advisable to regularly remove faded flowers. This helps plants direct their energy towards new growth and prolong their flowering. Roses, dahlias, lavender and other flowering plants will appreciate this care which will keep them beautiful until the end of summer. Perennials can also be divided in August to encourage their development and obtain new plants. This is particularly the case for irises, daylilies and agapanthus, which grow in clumps and tolerate division well.

Some shrubs can be pruned lightly in August to maintain a harmonious shape and encourage the growth of new branches. This is the case for hedges, which gain momentum in summer and may require maintenance pruning to keep them tidy. For plants such as climbing roses, light pruning and cleaning up damaged leaves can encourage a second flowering. Lawn: maintenance and preparation for autumn With high temperatures, the lawn may turn yellow due to drought. It is advisable to mow less often in August and leave a cutting height of 5 to 7 cm to protect the blades from evaporation. Deep watering once a week is recommended to strengthen the roots. At the end of the month, it is possible to prepare the lawn for autumn by aerating the soil and scarifying if necessary to remove thatch and accumulated moss. An application of slow-release fertilizer can also be considered to help the lawn recover and stay green for longer.

With the heat, insects and other pests can become more active. Aphids, mites and caterpillars attack crops and flowers, while diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew can affect vegetables. Regular monitoring and appropriate watering (avoiding wetting the leaves) are essential to limit the risks. For ecological pest management, you can use natural preparations, such as horsetail manure against downy mildew or black soap to keep aphids away. Planting companion plants, such as marigold or nasturtium, also helps attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, which help control pest populations.

Finally, August is a good month to sow green manures, such as mustard, clover or rye, in the parts of the garden that you want to rest after the harvest. Green manures enrich the soil, prevent weed growth and protect the soil from erosion. In the fall, these green manures can be dug in to add organic matter to the soil and improve its structure.