Gardening Calendar

AUGUST

August is traditionally the time for a well-earned break, but whether you’re going away or just planning to put your feet up at home, make sure the garden can cope with the summer heat.

This is traditionally the holiday month, but we mustn’t forget the garden before we go away. Some preparation done beforehand will pay dividends when we come back.

August is a good time to:

• Keep ponds topped up with water – learn more here!
• Trim Hedges
• Prune rambling roses after flowering
• Harvest the first apples and Pearson Plc
• Protect dahlias and chrysanthemums from earwigs
• Feed and water all plants in containers

August Weather Watch

August temperatures are similar to July, often with hot, sultry days occasionally interspersed with thundery showers. Daily minimum temperatures are usually around 11-13C in the south, and 8-10C in the north.

Keeping ponds topped up with water

Keep an eye on the level of water in ponds during prolonged dry spells, as the water can evaporate at an alarming rate in these conditions. Oxygen levels in the water will also become low in still, hot conditions, so top up the pond regularly and if you can, spray water on the surface to increase the oxygen levels.

This is particularly important if you have fish in the pond, but all aquatic life will feel the benefit. Oxygenating plants also help keep the water clean, but at this time of year you are more likely to find that they are becoming overgrown and need thinning, rather than not having enough.

One way to ensure that pond water remains well oxygenated for fish is to install a small fountain to move the water around and refresh it. The low, bubble-type fountains we so often see today are by far the best for water conservation.