As one of the few months of the year when Yorkshire gardeners might be praying for rain, August can be a challenging (and hot!) time for the green-fingered. Whether you’re a casual cultivator or an all-year-round agriculturalist, the eighth month of the year can be a little sticky for the humble gardener. Never fear – we’ve compiled some useful tips to minimise hassle in the heat this August…
Keep your eyes peeled for pesky pests.
August’s extra allocation of heat and humidity can transform even the most barren garden into a decidedly pest-friendly environment. To avoid critters like spider mites, tomato fruit worms, thrips, aphids, snails and slugs overtaking your green space, be vigilant – inspect plants each day for signs of damage, and remove any visible pests or insects immediately. Be on the lookout for signs of diseases like tomato and potato blight, and remove any affected or damaged crops right away to reduce the spread.
Give fruit and veg extra TLC.
Fruit and veg can flourish in hot weather, but you’ll need to provide some extra care to avoid falling foul of rapidly rising temperatures. Remember to harvest fruit or veg from plants at their production peak, as failing to do so can significantly reduce future yield (feel free to freeze herbs, and cure any garlic bulbs in a cool place away from the sun, with plenty of access to air). Summer prune your fruit trees to provide extra coverage, and avoid introducing new fertiliser until later in the year. Try to provide some extra shade for more delicate plants.
Watch out for weeds!
In the same way that you’ll need to police your garden for the presence of pests and plant diseases, it’s essential to wrangle any visible weeds, which are more likely to proliferate this month. Pay special attention to creeping lawn weeds like dandelions, daisies, buttercups and plaintains, which can look unsightly, inhibit the growth of preferred plants, and quickly take over your green space. Dig out any lawn weeds with a trowel (including the deep roots) as soon as they’re spotted, then fill in the hole with damp compost and fresh grass seed.
Provide plenty of water for extra-thirsty gardens.
While this tip may seem obvious, it’s probably THE most important tip we can offer to gardeners over August. In the same way that you may be seeking out a cold drink in the heat, remember that your flowers, bushes, trees and lawn will be exceptionally thirsty this month. Wherever possible, make the most of a water-butt’s offerings to wet the whistle of your plants, or, when in doubt, grab the trusty watering can (just be wary of potential hosepipe bans)! Water your crops as regularly as possible, and check the consistency of sitting soil as often as you can – if it feels coarse and dry, give it a drink! Simples!
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