Traditionally the holiday month when gardens can often be left to the mercy of the neighbours, August is also a month of plenty as all the hard work of the winter and spring really begins to pay off. As our spring months seem to be arriving later and later the growing season is extending further into late summer and autumn which is increasingly becoming a time of rich abundance. The garden is in full growth during the month of August and there can be no let up in the tasks that need to be attended to.

Here are some important tasks to do at this time of year. Some you may have done already but its not too late to catch up with them now.

BEDS AND BORDERS
Keep deadheading herbaceous perennials and cutting out flowered stems as low as possible so that the plant puts all its energy into leaf and root growth rather than worthless old stems. Take out old stakes and store away for winter. Keep deadheading sweet peas removing tendrils and any flowers going over. keep picking the flowers every day.

ROSES
Deadhead on a daily basis but refrain from adding any further mulches or fertiliser as any new growth brought on by this will not harden off enough to survive the winter.

BULBS
Daffodils can be lifted, divided and replanted now and the earlier you make your bulb order the better. This is a very good time to plant bulbs, especially if it has brained and there is moisture about to ease the task.

BIENNIALS
Our favourite biennials such as wallflowers, sweet williams and Brompton stocks can all be sown now either in outdoor seedbeds or in trays for pricking out.