Rachel Vogan's top tasks AUGUST
Fruit
PLANT Plant new fruit trees out this month. this month, garden centres have the biggest selection of deciduous and hardy fruit trees in stock. look for apricots, apples, figs, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines, quinces and medlars. Choose a position in full sun, away from strong winds and with good drainage. Airflow is important, as is access to water through dry periods. avoid planting vulnerable crops in frost-prone areas and instead opt for those most suitable to your climate. do not be tempted to squash too many fruit trees into a small area either, as each tree needs room to grow. you might find miniature and dwarf hybrids more suitable, or the ideal way to green up the patio.
NURTURE Some fruit trees require a mate (or a pollinator) to set the fruit. research what fruits and varieties you want to grow before investing in new trees. Garden centres have knowledgeable people who can offer advice and experience on what fruits need friends with benefits. For example, many plums, blueberries and feijoas will need a pollinator.
Vegetables
PLANT early potatoes can be planted in a frost-free spot or the glasshouse. Begin the chitting process for potatoes by laying seed potatoes in a flat tray or shallow box somewhere to sprout. Celery, beetroot and early carrots can go in the greenhouse too.
Plant winter lettuce and silver beet in the ground. Put in some more rows of mustard, mizuna, sweet rocket and mesclun for fresh salads. Sow seeds of brassicas, like kale, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy and Chinese cabbage, and these seedlings will be ready to plant out in early spring. Sow seeds of watercress and keep up those microgreens. Strawberries can go into a warm sunny spot now.
HARVEST Lift parsnips this month to avoid the cores going hard and new roots from appearing.
NURTURE Set aside seed stock for yams now, selecting the largest and fattest tubers to plant out in late spring. net new seedlings to keep the birds away.
Lawns
NURTURE wet patches and water pooling are problematic at this time of year. it is a challenge to manage the problem now as most ponding issues are due to poor drainage, clay soils or lack of contour on the lawn. when we get to the warmer months, consider installing a drainage system or change the level of the lawn to allow gravity to take away the excess water. Clay soils can be improved by using gypsum. Hold off fertilising lawns until the ground warms in spring, at which time new lawns can be sown too (typically September or October).
Flowers
PLANT Growing your own cut flowers is rewarding and satisfying. Take a moment to plan for the vase and you can find yourself with flowers to pick all year round. Delphiniums and larkspurs are wonderful tall-growing blooms, along with sunflowers, which are brilliant in borders and even better in a vase. For something more mid-sized (knee-height) look to cosmos, zinnia, cornflower, scabious, alstroemeria, carnations, Queen anne’s lace and statice. and last but not least, do not forget sweet peas, these can go in the ground now, alongside something they can climb up.
HARVEST Hyacinths are one of the grand dames of spring bulbs and look a picture for the next couple of months. One of the best whites is Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Carnegie’, which boasts large, pure white flowers that have a heady, sweet perfume and appear from later winter into spring. H. orientalis ‘King of the Blues’ is another goodie, with sky-blue flower spikes and a sweet perfume that combine to offer a good picking option. In a vase, hyacinths will last for a fortnight if the water is changed frequently.
NURTURE After flowering, leave hyacinths to die down naturally. do not be tempted to remove the foliage to tidy up the plant as the leaves provide a vital food source for the plant to store nourishment for next season’s flowers.
Pests & diseases
Many pest and disease problems can be dealt with over winter to prevent them from reappearing next season. while winter will kill some bugs, it does not deal with everything. it seems simple, but maintaining optimum plant health is one of the best ways to keep gardens free from issues, especially with roses. remove any damaged foliage as the spores of fungal problems can overwinter on the ground in the leaves. Spray a winter clean-up spray to deal with common problems like leaf curl, mildew, rust, and black spot.
Winter pots & containers
use tubs and containers as accessories to brighten up patios and outdoor spaces. Brightly coloured pots look sharp all year round, adding a wonderful element of interest to the garden and, in winter, becoming focal points from inside the house as well. it pays to choose your pots wisely as some are more tolerant to frost and long cold periods than others. Marble, pumice, rock and resin are all tough, as are ones painted with weatherproof coatings. Clay or mud-based tubs may crack and break over long, cold periods, so it does pay to do your research before investing in certain urns or planters.