

The Garden in August: Things to do this Month
- Seed a fall crop of peas and spinach and keep harvesting
- Pick herbs for fresh use and for drying. Harvesting will keep them growing longer
- Check that your mulch hasn't decomposed and add more as needed
- Spread a mid-season layer of compost or manure
- Keep deadheading and harvesting
- Leave some annual seeds to self-sow
- Remove any diseased foliage now, so it doesn't get lost in the fall leaves
- Cut back the foliage of early bloomers like brunnera and hardy geraniums, to revitalize the plants
- Prune summer flowering shrubs as the flowers fade
- Trim and feed handing baskets to prolong their beauty
- Take pictures of your garden at peak. Take pictures of container combinations you'd like to repeat
- Make sure the cold frame is ready to go
- Begin dividing perennials. Start with the bearded iris
- Pot up perennial divisions for spring plant swaps. Sink the pots into the ground this fall and they'll be one less chore in the spring
- Plant trees, shrubs and perennials now, so they can take root, and keep them well watered
- Get your fall-blooming crocus and colchicum planted so they'll bloom on time
- THEN SIT BACK AND ENJOY ALL YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED!