When August rolls in, the garden is at its best. Produce is rapidly being produced and the colours of what is in bloom are endless. However, for the gardener, life is busy as this is the month when a lot of harvest happens. Although nature begins to remind us that fall is near, there is still time to enjoy some warm sunshine during daylight hours.
The manic days of summer have passed and our chores involve that endless tie-up of floppy flowers and tomatoes; harvesting what is ripe and removing the odd tenacious weed. Deadheading perennials and annuals that have finished blooming is a good chore and produces more blooms to enjoy. It is also a good time to replant lettuce and spinach that have gone to seed, as the cool weather that is coming is perfect for these crops. Prune back annual herbs to ensure that the bounty continues. My basil crop has been rejuvenated once again and will surely continue to grace our table for the next couple of months.
During August, it is important to pay special attention to watering tomatoes and corn. Water corn, tomatoes and eggplant regularly and ensure they are getting enough nutrients. If you do not pay attention to ensuring these crops are evenly watered, the result will be poor and reduced yields.
Harvest fruit when it is at its peak to ensure happy eating and that if you are processing or storing the products, they are in the best form. Prairie cherries should be ripening, so get them before the birds do. Early season apples may also be ready, so keep an eye on what is ripening.
Prune back the tips of vine crops and indeterminate tomatoes to force the plants to put their energy into sizing up and ripening the fruit that is present. It may be possible to gently take some new potatoes from the edges of the potato patch. Nothing beats freshly harvested potatoes with fresh dill and a creamy, buttery sauce.
Spent annuals and bolted greens can be removed and ensure the compost pile is being utilized. Don’t forget to keep turning the compost to make the most of the heat in August. Manage your weeds to ensure that they do not go to seed and create future problems. If weeds have gone to seed, choose not to put the seedy parts in the compost, as it is unlikely your compost pile gets hot enough to kill the weed seeds.
Keep an eye out for sales, as you are sure to need supplies for next spring. As long as you have space to store the product, you will save some time and money by buying what is available at a preferred price. I like to stock up on anything that is still available, as I always am short of stakes, and other structures for plants to climb on. If there is some left in the stores, they are usually at a price that is extremely attractive.
In August, I also like to continuously pick flowers. It encourages more growth, more bloom and nothing beats fresh-cut bouquets in the house. I look at it as a continuation of the garden into our indoor spaces. To me, a house that has fresh flowers really makes your home beautiful.
I do a fair amount of canning in August. Although I certainly need less food throughout the year due to the children living elsewhere as adults, I know that what I have canned makes amazing gifts. It is also handy to have some quality food available when unexpected guests come to visit. I just had a couple of weeks with my grown children, their partners and grandchildren visiting, and they all loved raiding my cold room. Putting food by might be a dying art, but it is for sure very appreciated.
Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www.orchidhort.com; by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com, on Facebook @orchidhort and on Instagram at #orchidhort.
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