August in the Garden: Time to Chill, Snip & Plan

After a hot and very dry July, many gardens are feeling the heat — and so are we! August is the time to slow down, enjoy your outdoor space, and give your plants some TLC.

If you’ve worked hard to keep everything alive through the scorch, take a well-earned break… just don’t forget to keep watering!

Heading away? Ask a friend or neighbour to water while you’re gone. Staying put? There are a few gentle garden jobs to keep things thriving and get a head start on next year.

 Snip Some Herbs

Now’s the perfect time to take cuttings from woody herbs like rosemary and lavender. Cut 10cm from fresh, non-flowering growth just below a leaf joint, strip the bottom leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and plant in gritty compost.

And if you’ve got leggy lavender, give it a trim now — it’ll bounce back bushier and better next spring!

 Tidy Up & Keep It Neat

Long-flowering perennials are probably fading fast in the heat, so cut them back once they’re done blooming. Keep watering to encourage fresh growth and prevent the garden from looking tired.

Weeds might be slower now, but don’t let them win — a quick hoe on dry days will knock them back and let your plants shine.

 Dream, Plan, Prepare

August’s great for garden daydreaming. Pull up a chair, grab a cold drink, and sketch out your planting ideas for next year. Snap a few pics while your garden’s still in full swing — they’ll help when you’re reshuffling things later.

Also, start thinking about spring bulbs — they’ll be in shops soon, ready for autumn planting!

This Month’s Star: Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are in their glory — and for good reason. With pastel pinks, blues and whites, they bring that charming, cottage-garden vibe. Plant them in moist, well-drained soil with some shade, and they’ll keep blooming beautifully year after year.

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