Grow Your Own - August Jobs

August is a great time to grow your own fruits and vegetables. It's the ideal time to start planning for a successful harvest and make sure you have the right skills and tools to get the most out of your garden. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, there are lots of jobs to be done in the garden this month to ensure you have the best possible crop. From sowing new seeds to harvesting crops, this blog post will help you understand the key August jobs you should be doing to make the most of your garden.

What to Sow & Plant in August
In the month of August, there are plenty of opportunities to sow and plant in your garden. Here are some ideas for what you can get started on this month:

Fruit
Plant out rooted strawberry runners. These will give you a bumper crop of delicious strawberries next year.

Vegetables

• In the south of England, you can still sow quick maturing salad crops such as summer lettuce, radish, rocket, sorrel, chicory, and fennel. These will provide you with fresh, tasty salads throughout the autumn.
• Consider sowing spring cabbage, turnips, Oriental vegetables, and overwintering onions in the south of England. These crops will give you a head start for next year's harvest.
• If you have any bare areas in your garden, consider sowing green manures such as crimson clover and Italian ryegrass. These plants act as a soil improver and help cover up any bare patches. When dug in, they also help conserve nutrients and improve soil texture.

So grab your gardening tools and get to work! Whether you have an allotment, a veg bed, or a fruit cage, there's plenty to keep you busy in August. 

What is ready to harvest in August
As the summer months progress, it's time to reap the rewards of your hard work in the garden. August brings a bountiful harvest of delicious fruits and vegetables that are ready to be enjoyed. Here's a list of what you can expect to harvest this month:

Fruits:

• Plums and damsons are ripe for picking, along with early apples and pears.
• Perpetual strawberries continue to produce sweet and juicy berries, while blackberries and raspberries are ready to be gathered for a taste of summer.
• Don't forget about blueberries, gooseberries, currants, figs, and early grapes - they all add a burst of flavor to your garden harvest.

Vegetables:

• Onions, garlic, and shallots are ready to be pulled from the ground, adding depth and flavor to your meals.
• French and runner beans are plentiful and can be enjoyed steamed, boiled, or even stir-fried.
• Don't forget about the abundance of courgettes and cucumbers, perfect for fresh salads or grilling. Tomatoes, potatoes, and sweetcorn are also ready to be picked and enjoyed.

As you gather the fruits of your labor, don't forget about the ongoing garden care that is necessary. Keep up with your garden jobs, including pruning and training your plants, to ensure their health and productivity. Stay on top of watering and weeding to maintain a thriving garden. With proper care, your garden will continue to flourish and provide you with an abundant harvest throughout the season. Happy gardening!

Plants to Prune and Train in August
Pruning and training your plants in August is an important task to ensure their health and productivity. Here are some specific jobs you can do this month:

Fruit:
For restricted trees like espaliers and fans, summer prune the sideshoots to three to four leaves. This will help form fruiting spurs and promote a better crop. Prune restricted apples and pears as necessary. If needed, prune nectarines, apricots, and peaches after they have fruited. And don't forget to prune plums, gages, and damsons immediately after harvest.

Soft fruit: Keep an eye on your cranberries, loganberries, and blueberries and water them regularly with rainwater. If your water butt runs dry, tap water will do. Loosely tie together the new canes of blackberries and hybrid berries to provide support. After fruiting, remove straw and old leaves and tidy up your strawberry plants. And don't forget to prune out fruited summer raspberry canes and tie in new ones for next year's crop.

By following these pruning and training tasks, you can help your plants grow strong and produce a bountiful harvest.

Garden Problems, Pests & Diseases in August
August brings its fair share of garden problems, pests, and diseases that can hinder the growth and productivity of your plants. Here are some common issues to watch out for and how to deal with them:

• Aphids: These tiny insects can quickly infest your plants, sucking out their sap and causing damage. Regularly check your plants for aphids and deal with them promptly by either manually removing them or using an insecticidal soap.
• Tomato and Potato Blight: This fungal disease can devastate your tomato and potato crops. Keep a close eye on your plants for any signs of blight, such as brown patches or moldy growth, and remove affected plants immediately to prevent further spread.
• Blossom End Rot: This is a common problem in tomatoes where the bottom of the fruit turns black and becomes sunken. It is caused by a calcium deficiency or inconsistent watering. Ensure your tomato plants receive adequate water and consider adding calcium-rich amendments to the soil.
• Fungal Spots: Bean and pea plants can be susceptible to fungal spots on their pods and leaves. Remove any infected foliage and consider using a fungicidal spray to prevent further spread.
• Carrot Fly: These pests can ruin your carrot crop by laying eggs at the base of the plants, leading to maggot-infested roots. Use physical barriers, such as fine mesh netting, to protect your carrots from carrot fly.
• Stored Onions: Check your stored onions for signs of softness or the presence of gray or black mold, known as neck rot. Discard any affected onions to prevent further spread to your other stored crops.
• Brown Rot: This fungal disease affects tree fruit, causing brown, rotten patches on the fruit. Remove and destroy any affected fruit and practice good orchard hygiene to prevent future infections.
• Grapes and Melons: Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on your grape and melon plants. This fungal disease appears as a white, powdery coating on the leaves. Use fungicidal sprays or organic alternatives to control powdery mildew.

By staying vigilant and addressing these garden problems, pests, and diseases in August, you can help ensure the health and productivity of your plants.

General care

• In addition to specific tasks like sowing and harvesting, there are some general care jobs that should not be overlooked in August. These tasks will help keep your garden healthy and productive throughout the season. Here are a few important general care tips to keep in mind:
• Watering: Irregular watering can lead to problems like blossom end rot in tomatoes, splitting of root vegetables, and flower abortion in runner beans. It's important to water your plants well, especially during dry spells, to prevent these issues. Make sure to water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves, which can lead to fungal diseases.
• Weeding: Weeds not only compete with your vegetables for water and nutrients but also act as hosts for pests and diseases. Regularly remove weeds by hoeing or hand-pulling to keep your garden beds clean and healthy.
• Marrow Support: If you're growing marrows, it's a good idea to raise them slightly off the ground to prevent them from discoloring due to contact with the soil. You can use straw or wooden boards to create a platform for your marrows to rest on.
• Earthing Up: If you're growing celery, continue earthing up the stems to protect them and improve their flavor. Place a layer of paper between the stems and the soil to prevent any soil from getting into the plants.
• Thinning Carrots: If you have late-sown carrot seedlings, be careful when thinning them out to avoid attracting carrot fly females. This can be done by thinning the plants when the leaves are dry and avoiding any crushing or bruising that can release the scent.

By taking care of these general garden jobs, you'll help your plants thrive and avoid common issues that can hinder their growth. Remember to stay on top of watering, weeding, and providing support where needed. Your garden will thank you with a bountiful harvest.

Planning Ahead for Autumn and Winter
As the summer draws to a close, it's time to start planning ahead for the autumn and winter months in your garden. While August may still feel like the peak of summer, it's important to think ahead and prepare your garden for the colder seasons to come.

One of the key garden jobs to focus on during this time is planting autumn and winter vegetables. Now is the time to sow seeds for crops such as kale, broccoli, and winter squash. These vegetables thrive in cooler temperatures and will provide you with a bountiful harvest during the colder months. Additionally, consider planting bulbs for spring-flowering plants, such as tulips and daffodils. These bulbs need to be planted in the autumn to ensure they bloom beautifully come spring.

Another important aspect of planning for autumn and winter is protecting your plants from frost and extreme weather conditions. Consider investing in frost protection fleece or cloches to shield your more delicate plants from the harsh weather. You may also want to bring potted plants indoors or provide them with extra insulation.

By taking the time to plan ahead for autumn and winter now, you can ensure a successful and thriving garden throughout the year. Happy gardening!