Although summer is in full swing, because August is still a warm month and the heat often bothers us, we are already starting to think about autumn, and even about the next season. This is evidenced by many treatments that we should now carry out. I will mention, for example, collecting the seeds of annual plants or perennials, which we will carefully pack in dry bags and we will mark whether or not planting seedlings of biennial plants that will bloom for us next year.
This month we are still enjoying the fruits of summer, but we also need to take care of the plants where the harvest has already been completed.
We do all this with the garden for the next year in mind.
Ornamental plants
- We water and weed flower beds, boxes with seasonal plants, as well as bushes and hedges .
- Throughout the month, we remove the faded inflorescences of roses and perennials. Some species will repeat flowering this year.
- In the first half of the month, we carry out the last cutting of molded hedges and green sculptures with the gardening shears and pruning shears.
- If it is not too hot and dry, plant trees, shrubs and perennials grown in containers, remembering to provide them with a suitable substrate and place. Let's also check the target width and height of the plant.
- At the end of the month, peony carps can be split (the treatment can be carried out no later than mid-September). The plants are planted in a fertile substrate at a depth of approx. 5 cm, in a sunny position, at a depth of approx. 5 cm. Remember to water the seedlings abundantly after transplanting. THe rainwater from the rain water storage barrels will be suitable for this.
- In order for the lavender to spread well and to keep its compact habit, shorten the stems to half the length. This lavender pruning needs to be done every year. For larger quantities grass shear is very useful.
- At the end of the month, we start planting some species of spring onion flowers (e.g. imperial checkerboard , crocuses , snowdrops , bearded irises, desert and white lily ). To protect the bulbs from rodents, it is worth planting them in openwork plastic baskets for bulbous plants. Remember that most bulbous plant species prefer a permeable and fertile substrate and a sunny position. The bulbs should be planted three times their height. Using a bulb planter will be the most convenient way to do the job
- We collect flowers for dry bouquets .
- We collect seeds of annuals and perennials that we want to sow in spring.
- We prepare fuchsia and pelargonium seedlings .
- We take semi-woody cuttings of conifers.
- In the second half of the month, we start using autumn fertilizers that will help the plants survive the winter and increase their resistance to frost.
- We review plants for diseases and pests. Remove plant parts attacked by fungal diseases and bury them deep underground or burn them (they are not suitable for compost).
- We observe the larches and, if necessary, remove the spruce-larch galls with gardening shears.
- We regularly water and weed beds as well as ripening bushes and fruit trees. Depending on the situation, we use long-handled hoes or short-handled hoes. Weeds without seeds can be composted.
- Parts of plants infested by pests or diseases are removed and placed in green waste bags to get rid of them (do not throw them into compost ).
- We collect ripe vegetables, dig up carrots , onions and garlic. Universal Harvesting baskets are handy for this. We process vegetables on an ongoing basis or use them for preserves .
- We collect and dry herbs by hanging them in bunches in a shaded, airy place. Convenient and beautiful accessories for this purpose will make the job even more enjoyable.
- We support the branches of fruit trees and shrubs that bend under the weight of the fruit.
- In August, we continue the summer cutting of fruit trees - cherries, apple trees, pears and peaches. In the first days of August, we prune the apple trees , the fruit of which ripens in late August or early September. During pruning, strong annual growths that block the access of light to the fruit in the central part of the tree's crown are removed or shortened. This will make the apples more beautiful. The lightning cutting of cherries is carried out after the harvest, usually in the second half of August. We cut out thin twigs that thicken the tree crowns too much.
- With the pruning shear we remove the leaves of the vine that shade the ripening clusters.
- We carry out sanitary cutting of the walnut. A pruning saw can be used for this
- We mow the grass, but not too low so that it does not dry out.For edges or hard-to-reach areas, a long-handled grass shear is recommended
- In the middle of the month, autumn fertilizer can be applied to the lawn.
- If the weather is sunny and the temperatures are high, remember to water the lawn (early morning or evening). Better less often and more abundantly than often with small doses of water.
- we sow dill, radish and lettuce for the autumn harvest
- In the middle of the month, it is a good idea to put corrugated or sticky strips on the trunks of the trees to catch the plum fruit caterpillars. In September, we will remove the tapes and destroy the pests.
- After harvesting strawberries, you need to take care of these plants if you want to enjoy a rich harvest again next year. After harvesting strawberries, first of all, all the shoots need to be weeded and trimmed to a height of approx. 5 cm. It is also worth scattering the last dose of fertilizers this year and apply spraying if the plants were sick.
- Every 3 or 4 years we should plant strawberries in a new position. It may be a place where we have previously grown marigolds, onion vegetables, mustard or legumes. However, you should not choose a place where you have previously grown tomatoes. We prepare the strawberry carriage one week in advance. We dig the soil and weed it. Just before planting, it is worth immersing strawberry roots in water for 30 minutes, and watering the plants abundantly after planting. Strawberries planted in early August will have time to take root and form flower buds this season.
- In August, we also start harvesting fruit - apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, etc. They are easy to remove from the tree with a fruit picker, and fallen fruit is easy to pick up with a hand picker.
- Yellowing of the potato leaves is a signal that the potatoes are ripe for harvesting. Take them out of the ground with a pitchfork or a hoe and let them dry well. If the area is not huge, it is very convenient to use a special potato harvesting fork.
- Fall asters should be looked after . If they are affected by powdery mildew , use sulfur preparations or fungicides.
Pond
- We feed the fish living in the water reservoir. Let us remember about removing any food that has not been eaten by them.
- We regularly check aquatic plants and those growing in the swamp zone. We remove faded flowers and dead leaves.
- We clean the filters.
