As August marks the final month of summer, garden experts are sharing strategies to help gardens thrive despite heatwaves and dry conditions. Key advice includes adjusting lawn mowing practices, creating havens for beneficial insects like ladybirds, and implementing responsible watering techniques.
Lawn Care in Hot Weather
Simon Parry, an outdoor living expert, recommends raising lawn mower blades during summer months. Longer grass helps shield the roots from intense heat. He also advises leaving short clippings on the lawn to act as a natural mulch. Parry notes that browning grass during a heatwave is normal and the lawn will recover with autumn rains. Established grass can enter a dormant state as a self-protection mechanism. James Ewens from Green Feathers suggests deep watering after prolonged dry periods rather than frequent light watering. Parry advises against fertilizing lawns in August, as it encourages new growth vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Attracting Beneficial Wildlife
Tessa Cobley, a plant pest expert, emphasizes the importance of ladybirds as natural pest controllers that feed on aphids and other damaging insects. To attract ladybirds, she suggests leaving a small number of pests on less valuable plants to provide a food source. Creating a safe environment with access to food and shelter is crucial for ladybirds to stay in the garden. Ewens recommends creating "pollinator pitstops," which can be as simple as a shallow bowl of water with stones for insects to land on, surrounded by nectar-rich plants. Clean and replenished water sources with safe landing spots are essential for bees and butterflies. Ladybugs are also attracted to flat-topped flowers and herbs like dill, fennel, and coriander, as well as bright yellow and orange flowers such as marigolds and calendula.
Supporting Birds and Watering Wisely
Ewens suggests supplementary feeding for birds in August is necessary, especially as they continue to feed young. Maintaining hygiene with bird feeders and water sources is critical to prevent disease. He recommends using hanging feeders with nutrient-rich foods like sunflower hearts and mealworms, avoiding foods that spoil quickly in heat.
Responsible watering is highlighted as a key task. Experts advise watering in the early morning or evening when temperatures are milder, with morning watering being preferable to reduce evaporation. Deep watering a few times a week is more beneficial than frequent light watering, encouraging stronger root systems. Hanging baskets and younger plants may require more frequent watering. A simple test is to check the soil an inch deep; if it's dry, it needs water. Watering compost heaps is also important to maintain the composting process during dry spells.
Deadheading and Harvesting
Deadheading flowers, a task carried over from July, helps promote new growth by preventing plants from expending energy on seed production. This can encourage flowering into autumn for annual bedding plants and perennials. Removing faded blooms neatens plants and makes way for new ones. However, gardeners should be mindful not to deadhead plants with seeds attractive to birds, such as sunflowers and rudbeckias. August is also a prime month for harvesting fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, and plums, preventing overripening and deterring pests.