August
- Bexley Garden Centre
- Jul 31, 2025
- 2 min read
August is all about keeping the garden looking great through late summer while setting yourself up for autumn. With warmer days and the chance of dry spells, regular watering and feeding still matter – but it’s also a brilliant time to tidy, refresh pots, and keep the veg patch productive.
August jobs in the garden
Garden protection & weather prep
Continue watering during hot spells, especially containers and hanging baskets. Give pots a proper soak early morning or evening, and add a mulch layer to help retain moisture. If you’re going away, consider drip trays, capillary matting, or asking a neighbour to water key pots.
Lawn care
Lawns can struggle in heat. Raise the mower height, avoid cutting too short, and only water if really needed (early morning is best). Patch repairs and reseeding are usually better saved for early autumn when conditions are cooler and wetter.
Veg patch & seed prep
Keep harvesting and keep sowing. August is great for succession sowing (salads, radish, spring onions) and starting some autumn/winter crops. Keep feeding tomatoes, remove yellowing leaves, and watch for pests on brassicas and beans.
Trees & shrubs
Trim and tie in vigorous climbers, and give tired plants a tidy to keep things looking fresh. If fruit trees are heavy, continue thinning where needed and support branches to prevent snapping. It’s also a good time to take cuttings from certain plants if you fancy propagating.
Wildlife
Keep water topped up – birds and pollinators need it in warm weather. Leave some seed heads for wildlife, and try adding late-summer nectar plants to keep bees fed right through into autumn.
What’s in store this month
Watering aids (hoses, spray guns, watering cans, timers)
Plant food (including tomato feed) and late-summer boosters
Compost and mulch for topping up pots and borders
Autumn/winter veg seeds and seed-starting supplies
Plant supports and ties for tall late-summer growth
Pest control and netting
Late-summer plants to refresh containers and keep colour going
August garden FAQs
Do I still need to feed plants in August?
Yes – especially containers and flowering plants. Tomatoes and other fruiting crops benefit from regular feeding right through late summer.
Can I still sow vegetables in August?
Definitely. You can keep sowing fast crops like salads and radish, and it’s also a good time to start planning for autumn and winter crops.
Why are my pots drying out so quickly?
Heat and wind can dry containers fast. Water thoroughly (a deep soak), mulch the top of the compost, and consider moving pots into light shade during the hottest part of the day.
Should I repair my lawn in August?
If it’s very dry, it’s usually better to wait until September for reseeding and patch repairs, when the weather is cooler and there’s more moisture.
What can I do to keep the garden colourful into autumn?
Refresh pots with late-summer plants, keep deadheading, and add a few nectar-rich choices to support pollinators and extend colour into the next season.
Visit us today...
at our Bexleyheath or Barnehurst branches for late-summer essentials — watering equipment, compost, plant food, supports and seeds for the season ahead.
