August garden to-do list

August may still carry a winter chill, but the garden is stirring – and so should we.

This is the month to dust off your tools, warm up your green fingers and get stuck in before the full flush of spring begins.

Whether you’re nurturing a patch of lawn, prepping veggie beds, or planning pops of floral colour, there’s plenty to keep you inspired.

Gauteng gardens: Shaking off Winter

While the highveld mornings are still brisk, the soil is starting to warm. Here’s how to make the most of August:

Lawn love

Now’s the time to bring your tired winter lawn back to life.

Cut your grass short to remove dead growth.

Rake up debris and loosen compacted soil with a garden fork.

Feed with a slow-release lawn fertiliser. Organic options like Atlantic Bio Lawn are water-wise and effective.

Top-dress with compost or lawn dressing – except if you have All Seasons Evergreen, in which case a feed is all it needs.

Plant this

Get a head start on your edible garden and flower beds.

Sow seeds of spinach, lettuce, radishes, beetroot, carrots, tomatoes, and herbs like parsley and rocket.

Add colour with spring annuals like primulas, calendulas, and snapdragons.

Don’t forget lavender – it loves being planted now and will reward you with blooms all summer long.

Time to feed

Certain plants need a nutrient boost to leap into the new season.

Feed fruit trees like plums, apricots, and apples with a 3:1:5 fertiliser.

For bigger, brighter blooms, feed hydrangeas with a colour-specific mix – pink or blue, depending on your preference.

Give roses and azaleas a good feed to fuel their flowering.

Bulbs like daffodils need a last feed before going dormant – leave the yellowing leaves for now; They help recharge the bulbs.

Prune and mulch

If your roses haven’t been pruned yet, now’s the last chance.
Trim back shrubs like cassias, lion’s ear and plumbago.
Finish with a thick layer of compost to lock in moisture.

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Western Cape gardens: Spring prep mode

The Cape’s wet winter is slowly lifting, and your garden is gearing up for a season of growth. Let’s get it ready.

Harvest time

The veggie garden is brimming with winter goodness.

Pick beetroot, kale, broccoli, leeks, Swiss chard, cabbage and more.

Citrus trees are still heavy with fruit, so enjoy the last of the oranges, lemons, and naartjies.

Herb lovers can gather bay leaves, mint, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and oregano now.

What to sow and plant

Sow summer crops like beans, eggplants, baby marrows, tomatoes, and spinach.

Add spring colour with pansies, impatiens, petunias, alyssum and snapdragons.

It’s also bulb season! Plant cannas, dahlias, gladioli and nerines for a spectacular show come summer.

Feed and prune

Hydrangeas need a colour boost – aluminium sulphate for blue, or specialist feeds for pinks.

Prune climbers like bougainvillea and Cape honeysuckle, and feed with a 2:3:2 mix.

Fruit trees and vines benefit from a potassium-rich fertiliser – perfect timing for juicy summer harvests.

Don’t forget to divide perennials like agapanthus and wild garlic – it’s a good way to fill out your garden for free.

Clear the way

Weeds might seem harmless now, but come spring, they’ll take over. Spend some time clearing beds and pathways. A little effort now saves a lot of work later.

Gardening spotlight: Grow your own carrots

If you’ve never tasted a carrot fresh from the ground, you’re in for a treat. They’re easy to grow and full of flavour.

Choose a sunny spot with loamy, stone-free soil.

Sow seeds directly into the soil, about 1cm deep and 2cm apart.

Keep the soil moist – regular watering helps them germinate.

Feed once the leaves are established, and try different coloured varieties for fun.

August is about laying the groundwork – literally – for a lush, rewarding garden. There’s a quiet excitement in the air as buds form and new life begins.

So, roll up your sleeves and get planting, pruning, and planning. Spring is almost here, and your garden is ready to shine.

ALSO SEE: SOUTH AFRICAN PERENNIAL GARDEN FAVOURITES