August In the Garden
Summer always seems to fly by, and this year has been no exception. August is already upon us! We still have time to enjoy the warmth, hit the beach, and spend time with family before autumn arrives and routines settle out once more. September will be here before we know it, ushering us into the cold season once more.
But enough of that! For now, peak growing season is still here, and there are plenty of things to do in the garden.
We’ve been in the midst of a hot snap, and plants are thirsty. It isn’t quite time to begin tapering off for the season yet, especially in the start of August, but we’ll see a shift towards the end of the month.
Now is a time to begin harvesting fruits and vegetables in the midst of seasonal production. Stop fertilizing now to prioritize production rather than new growth. Likewise, keep an eye out for new shoots and trim them back if necessary to encourage the plant to focus on fruiting branches. You can also trim some off some of the non-flowering branches—these are necessary early in the season while the plant is still getting established, but now they could be an energy draw the plant doesn’t need. Early season frosts can be unpredictable, and potentially devastating!
Harvest beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and other vegetables as often as you need to keep the plant producing and the veggies tender for eating. Likewise, frequent trimming of lettuce, herbs, and other leafy greens will keep the plant from going to seed prematurely.
To keep your flowers blooming through the end of the summer, keep deadheading spent blooms and trimming tired stalks. See June’s In the Garden blog for some specific pointers!
Although we don’t like to think about it at this time of year, moving towards and into September brings with it the risk of cold snaps or early frost. Even a light frost can harm vegetables and other plants, so cold-weather preparation should be in the back of your mind.
Keep blankets or other covers on hand in case frost threatens overnight. Although it’s good to allow tomatoes to ripen on the vine, if you need to bring green tomatoes in early, they can still ripen on a sunny windowsill or in a paper bag.
Towards the end of August, consider whether you need to divide early-blooming perennials like lilies, peonies, and bleeding hearts. This will keep the plants from returning dense and overcrowded, ensure they have enough room to grow, and rejuvenate older plants with proper air and nutrient circulation. Plus, bonus plants!
Regarding your shrubs and trees, water early and deep with this heat spell so they get fully hydrated before the sun reaches its hottest. Ensure you are watering the base to reach the roots and not the foliage. Water sitting on leaves can scorch.
Prune shrubs minimally this time of year, and cease fertilizing. Trimming causes moisture loss and fertilizer pushes out new growth that requires more water to establish. Similarly, wait until the daily high temperatures settle out a little more before planting new shrubs and trees.
Until autumn chases away the heat, mulching the surface of the soil can help retain moisture and keep roots happy. Use an organic mulch like wood chips, but give the trunk a few inches to breathe.
While we’re at the height of summer, now is a great time to stop in at Floral Acres. We still have lots of perennials, trees, shrubs, and vines, many at a great price. Many of our annual planters are on deep discount for the end of the annual season.
● On August 4th, Toonie Tuesday is all 4” perennials, regular $6.48, on sale for $2 each while supplies last.
● On August 5th, this month’s Wacky Wednesday sale is 13” annual planters and 20” window box planters on sale for $20 each while supplies last. August 5th is also senior’s day, so seniors get 10% off their purchases.
And it’s always a good time to shop our retail and tropical plant selections, with all garden decor currently 50% off through August 6th. Swing by over the August long weekend for some great deals!
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If you’re like me, by this point in the summer you’re thinking of what you might have done differently, what worked this year and what struggled, and the changes you might make next year. I’m usually already planning out next year’s garden in my head.
Now is a great time to log that information, in a notebook or just on your phone. Spring can be a daunting time to make plans or change an existing layout—especially if you’ve forgotten the specifics. Take some time to adjust and modify as needed. Your next spring self will thank you!
If you’re new to garden planning, here are some key considerations:
● Draw a map of your current garden beds to manage crop rotation, spacing, and light levels
● Note scheduling for seeding and harvest times—this can vary from plant to plant, but often that information will be included on the package or tag
● Log wish list plants for the following season, which plants grew or didn’t, and what you’d like to keep or change
● Anything else you can think of that might help guide your garden for next year. Pest issues, watering schedules, or stretches of extreme weather.
This will not only help you prepare for next year, but to encourage greater success in your garden. It can be frustrating when plants fail due to environmental conditions, but one of my favourite parts about gardening is that you can always learn and try again next year.
Until next time!