What to Grow in August: Gardening Tips and Tasks for the Perfect Summer Garden

August is a rewarding month for gardeners. With summer in full swing, the garden is bursting with colour and flavour – but there’s still plenty to sow, transplant, and tend to. Whether you're growing vegetables, fruit or flowers, gardening in August offers opportunities to plan ahead for autumn and enjoy late summer blooms. It’s also the perfect time to make the most of Hortiwool Garden Pads, a clever, sustainable solution for moisture retention and soil health.

Here’s your complete guide to what to grow in August – indoors and out – as well as essential gardening tasks to keep your plot looking its best.

What Vegetables to Sow or Transplant in August

August may seem late in the growing season, but it’s still possible to sow fast-growing crops and prepare for autumn harvests.

Outdoors:

• Salad leaves – Varieties like rocket, lamb’s lettuce and mustard greens thrive in the warm soil. Sow little and often for a continuous harvest.

• Spinach and chard – Sow directly into beds now for a productive autumn and winter crop.

• Spring onions – These hardy alliums can be sown outdoors in August for an early spring crop.

• Turnips and radishes – Quick to mature, these are perfect for late summer sowing.

Using wool in the garden, such as Hortiwool Garden Pads, is especially useful here. Laid around young seedlings or between rows, they help suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and retain moisture. All key for successful late-season crops.

Indoors or Undercover:

• Winter lettuces – Start these in modules or seed trays for planting out later.

• Pak choi and Chinese cabbage – Sow in pots and keep under cover to avoid bolting in summer heat.

• Herbs – Basil, coriander, and parsley can be sown in pots on sunny windowsills.

What Fruit Can Be Planted or Cared For in August

While August isn't prime time for sowing fruits, it's ideal for planting strawberry runners for next year’s crop. Choose healthy runners from established plants and pot them up or plant directly in well-prepared beds.

Hortiwool Garden Pads make excellent mulch around young strawberry plants. They help lock in moisture during hot spells, discourage slugs, and slowly release nutrients into the soil, supporting strong root development.

This month is also the time to:

• Feed fruiting plants like raspberries, blueberries and gooseberries.

• Prune summer-fruiting raspberries once they’ve finished fruiting.

• Check apple and pear trees for signs of fruit drop or pests.

What Flowers to Sow in August

While many flowers are already in bloom, there’s still time to sow and plan for later colour and next year’s garden.

Sow now for next spring:

• Wallflowers – Sow outdoors in a seed bed to overwinter and plant out in spring.

• Forget-me-nots and honesty – Great for self-seeding, cottage-style borders.

• Pansies and violas – Sow now to flower in autumn and winter.

Sow now for late colour:

• Calendula (pot marigold) – Quick to grow, these can bloom into early autumn.

• Cornflowers – Sow for late summer blooms and beautiful cut flowers.

Using wool in the garden as a mulch or soil amendment beneath flowering plants can help reduce watering during dry spells and protect roots from extremes of temperature.

Essential Gardening Jobs for August

To create and maintain the perfect summer garden, your August to-do list should include:

1. Water Wisely

Water deeply in the early morning or late evening to avoid evaporation. Use Hortiwool Garden Pads around the base of thirsty plants like tomatoes, courgettes and cucumbers to retain moisture and reduce the frequency of watering.

2. Deadhead Spent Flowers

Keep summer flowers blooming longer by regularly deadheading roses, dahlias, and bedding plants.

3. Harvest Regularly

Pick beans, courgettes and cucumbers often to encourage continuous cropping. Harvest herbs like basil before they flower for the best flavour.

4. Tidy and Feed

Cut back straggly perennials and give container plants a feed with a liquid fertiliser to keep displays looking vibrant.

5. Plan Ahead

Start planning your autumn planting – order spring bulbs, prepare beds, and clean out greenhouses. Consider laying down Hortiwool Garden Pads now to improve soil structure and moisture levels before autumn rains arrive.

Why Choose Hortiwool Garden Pads?

As we focus more on sustainable gardening practices, Hortiwool Garden Pads offer a natural alternative to synthetic mulches or liners. Made from 100% British sheep’s wool, they:

• Improve moisture retention

• Suppress weeds naturally

• Release slow nutrients into the soil

• Break down naturally over time, enriching the soil

Whether you’re sowing salad crops, protecting your strawberries, or establishing perennials, using wool in the garden supports plant health and the planet.

Gardening in August is all about nurturing what’s already growing while preparing for the seasons ahead. With the right sowing schedule, essential maintenance tasks, and the added support of Hortiwool Garden Pads, you can enjoy a flourishing summer garden and set the stage for autumn success.

Happy gardening!