In this part of Scotland August can be a month to enjoy your garden at its best or, do your best to protect it from the hammering rain and wind. Flowers are in bloom, crops are ready to harvest and (hopefully) the sun is shining some of the time.
August can be one of the busiest months in the garden.
Watering
If we do have some good weather it means ensuring that bedding plants, vegetables and new shrubs are kept well watered (especially so if they are in pots or hanging baskets). If the weather is warm aim to water either first thing in the morning or last thing at night, this ensures the water has a chance to soak rather than just evaporating. Keep feeding your bedding plants and vegetables throughout the month.
Dead heading and tidying up
Remove any spent flowers from your bedding plants and cut back any tired perennials. If any of your plants have developed seed heads now is a perfect time to collect and dry the seeds ready for next year. You can also leave them on the plant to drop naturally and self seed. Removing dead flower heads will promote new flowers and keep your bedding plants going right through to the first frost.
Cuttings
Free plants!! A lot of cuttings can be taken this month, generally from tender plants with new growth.
Plants such as fuchsias, pelargoniums, hydrangeas and verbenas can be easily propagated from cuttings.
How to take cuttings:
- Choose healthy, non-flowering shoots
- Remove the lower leaves and place cuttings into small pots
- Use a seed and cutting compost to encourage strong root development, you can also use a rooting powder or gel
- Keep cuttings somewhere warm and bright, but away from direct sunlight
- Water regularly and avoid letting compost dry out completely
Most cutting root within a few weeks but it very much depends on the plant, some can take months so patience is key.