August Garden Jobs

August is the time of year when we can really take a step back and enjoy the fruits of our labour with colourful flowers and crops to pick in abundance. While major jobs are not needed during this month there are still plenty of little jobs to do around the garden. Ensuring it stays in good shape throughout the rest of the month and entering into autumn. Along with sprucing up the outside area to create a more usable space for the whole family to enjoy. See what August Garden Jobs you can tick off this month…

Update your outdoor spaces

With the kids off school and warmer weather, August is a perfect time to turn your outside space into a comfortable and functional living space. Keep patio areas swept and add a rug for a more cosy feel. Update furniture with colourful throws and cushions or start a new project using our old pallets and create a pallet sofa or dartboard! Adding lights and a fire pit or patio heater to your paving ensures the garden can be used for more hours of the day, aiding mental and physical wellbeing. Mirrors can create a sense of space and reflect light in small or north-facing gardens. Laying patio circles in sunny parts of the garden can create a dedicated area for dining or soaking up the rays on loungers with a good book.

For a truly timeless and durable foundation for your outdoor entertaining, consider investing in high-quality natural stone paving. Options like Indian sandstone and limestone paving, not only provide a beautiful and hard-wearing surface but also add significant value to your home. When planning your patio ideas or looking for driveway paving, think about the various paving slabs available to complement your garden's aesthetic. Whether you're looking for block paving for a classic look, porcelain paving for a contemporary feel, or durable setts for an authentic touch, selecting the right paving materials can transform your entire outdoor area into a space you'll love for years to come.

Go Green

Watering should be at the forefront of your mind this month. Trying, where possible to be sustainable and eco-friendly, supporting the local wildlife.

You may find that your water butts are looking a little low if there hasn’t been much rainfall of late. Greywater is a great alternative to fish water -relieving pressure on the mains water supplies. With the knowledge that parts of the UK could run dry in as little as 20 years' time, there's no time like the present to start conserving water now.

Greywater is water that has been lightly used. You can use water from paddling pools, baths and showers, sinks, washing machines and other kitchen appliances. For more great water-saving ideas check out Ofwat.

Those of you who have a holiday coming up, try to arrange a little gardening help where possible. Ask neighbours, friends or family to keep an eye on your plants while you are away. If this isn’t achievable, you can always invest in a growbag waterer. They allow you to control the amount of water and the frequency of watering required for your plants, so you don’t have to worry while you’re away.

The Veg Patch

Here are our top August Garden Jobs for your Kitchen Garden, to ensure a decent summer harvest and plenty of produce over the winter months.

What to Sow

August is the perfect time to start sowing root vegetables and salad leaves like rocket and land cress so you can have tasty treats come winter.

• Plant veggies like cabbage, broccoli and Brussel sprouts. ready for a winter harvest- just in time for Christmas dinner!
• Get planting new strawberries as soon as they hit the shelves in the garden centre using soil that hasn't grown any strawberries in for at least 3 years.

What to Harvest

• Ensure regular picking of courgettes and runner/ French beans as they grow very quickly and can become too stringy when left.
• Early apples and pears should be harvested too, try gently twisting the fruit to check for ripeness, rather than trying to pull them off the tree.
• Blackberries, blueberries and blackcurrants should all be ripe and ready for some beautifully fresh summer puddings or pick as a treat while doing your garden jobs.

August Garden Jobs

• Keep a lookout for blight on potatoes and tomatoes.
• Remove any affected plants immediately so you can stop this from spreading to healthy crops.
• Prune summer fruiting berries like raspberries, currants and gooseberries and tie in non-fruiting canes on the blackberries.
• Dry out or ripen any garlic, onion & shallot bulbs by laying them in the sun. If you are interested or currently growing your own food, take a look at our kitchen garden blog for inspiration on designing your own food-producing garden.

Keep the Birds Happy

Towards the end of the month, take a little look at your hedges. If your garden birds have left their nests, you can start pruning and trimming before your hedges stop growing for the year. Provide a place for birds and other wildlife to drink and bathe with a wildlife table or create your own using a spare pot or lid. 

Talking of birds, keep an eye on any birdbaths you have outside. The water can quickly evaporate in warm weather or even start sprouting algae. Clean them out regularly and top them up with fresh water, to help keep your feathered friends cool when the weather heats up. Use the RSPB's online bird identifier to find out more about the birds that visit your garden.

August Lawn Care

During particular dry spells, consider raising the blades on your lawnmower. This will let the grass grow a bit longer, keeping it greener and retaining more moisture. Don’t worry if the grass turns brown - it will bounce back very quickly with just a little bit of rain. 

Though there are lots of August gardening jobs to be getting on with, you will thank yourself for all your hard work come the autumn and winter… and so will your garden!

Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?

As you can see, August is a month for enjoying your garden and making those small but significant tweaks that ensure it stays beautiful and productive. From keeping your plants hydrated to sprucing up your outdoor living areas, every little bit of effort now will pay dividends as we transition into autumn.

If you're feeling inspired to give your garden a more permanent refresh, why not explore the extensive range of natural stone paving options available? From stylish patio packs to durable driveway paving, we have the perfect paving slabs to enhance your home's exterior. Visit our website or contact us today to discuss your landscaping project and discover how our high-quality paving materials can help you create the garden of your dreams.

About the Author

Sian McHugh

'Sian has been working with us at Westminster Stone for over 5 years and has developed expertise in garden design and landscaping. Her passion for nature extends to tending her own garden, teaching yoga and hiking during her free time.'

* Free images from Pexels