What to sow and plant in August

Jobs for established plants in August

• Shorten Side Shoots
  Apple (Columnar)

  Cut any side shoots longer than 15 cm back to 2–3 buds to keep the column shape.

• Summer Pruning
  Apple (Cox's Orange Pippin)

  Shorten this year's side shoots to three leaves to let light reach the fruit.

• Summer Pruning
  Apple (Discovery)

  Shorten this year's side shoots to three leaves to let light reach the fruit.

• Summer Pruning
  Apple (James Grieve)

  Shorten this year's side shoots to three leaves to let light reach the fruit.

• Post-Harvest Pruning
  Apricot

  Lightly prune after harvest to remove any vigorous upright shoots or to maintain shape. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer.

• Keep Moist
  Azalea (Japanese Evergreen)

  Water pots with rainwater in dry weather — buds for next spring are forming now.

• Cut Out Fruited Canes
  Boysenberry (Thornless)

  Cut the canes that fruited this year to the ground and tie in the new ones for next year.

• Deadhead
  Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)

  Snip off faded flower cones to get more flowers and stop self-seeding.

• Water While Buds Form
  Camellia (japonica)

  Next year's buds form in late summer — dry roots now make buds drop in spring. Use rainwater.

• Summer Pruning
  Cherry (Stella)

  Prune cherry trees in late summer after harvest to maintain shape, improve air circulation, and encourage fruit production.

• Summer Pruning
  Cherry (Sunburst)

  Prune after picking, never in winter (silver leaf): remove crossing branches and shorten over-long shoots.

• Summer Watering Check (August)
  Crab Apple (Red Sentinel)

  Ensure consistent moisture during the hottest part of summer.

• Deadhead and Feed
  Crocosmia (Lucifer)

  Snap off faded flower heads (not the leaves) and give a high-potash feed to build up the bulb for next year.

• Summer Pest & Disease Check
  Damson (Merryweather)

  Continue to monitor for pests and diseases, particularly plum moth, wasps, and brown rot as fruit ripens.

• Remove Most Flower Heads
  Fennel (Bronze)

  Cut off most flower heads to stop it self-seeding everywhere; leave a few for the seed.

• Monitor Fruit Ripening
  Fig (Brown Turkey)

  Begin checking for ripe figs as they swell and change color.

• Snap the Shoots
  Hazel (Kentish Cob)

  Break (not cut) strong new side shoots halfway and let them hang — this "brutting" encourages next year's flowers.

• Remove Faded Flower Stems
  Heuchera (Coral Bells)

  Cut faded flower stems at the base.

• Clip to Shape
  Holly (J.C. van Tol)

  Clip to shape in late summer if grown as a hedge or topiary.

• Prune After Flowering
  Honeysuckle (Graham Thomas)

  Cut back flowered shoots by a third to keep it tidy. Every few years, cut out some of the oldest stems.

• Trim After Flowering
  Lavender (Hidcote)

  Shear off the spent flower stems and about 2 cm of leafy growth to keep the plant compact. Stay above the woody base.

• Late Season Cut Back
  Lemon Balm

  If plants become overgrown or woody by late summer, cut them back hard to encourage a flush of fresh growth before autumn. Allow some flowers to bloom later for bees.

• Deadhead and Feed
  Lily (Stargazer)

  Snap off faded flower heads (not the leaves) and give a high-potash feed to build up the bulb for next year.

• Cut Out Fruited Canes
  Loganberry (Thornless)

  Cut the canes that fruited this year to the ground and tie in the new ones for next year.

• Trim for Shape
  Mediterranean Cypress

  Trim to maintain desired height and shape, typically in late summer or early autumn.

• Watch for Mildew
  Michaelmas Daisy

  Water at the roots in dry spells — dry soil brings powdery mildew.

• Pest & Disease Check (Summer)
  Olive

  Inspect leaves and branches for common olive pests (e.g., scale, olive fruit fly) and signs of disease.

• Trim After Flowering
  Ox-Eye Daisy

  Cut back after flowering for a tidier plant and sometimes a second flush.

• Summer Pruning (Optional)
  Peach (Peregrine)

  Light pruning after harvest can improve air circulation and manage tree size.

• Second Trim
  Photinia (Red Robin)

  A second light trim for another flush of red.

• Take Cuttings (Optional)
  Pinks (Doris)

  Pull off non-flowering shoots and root them in gritty compost to renew plants every few years.

• Summer Pruning
  Plum (Opal)

  Prune after picking, never in winter (silver leaf): remove dead, crossing and crowded branches.

• Summer Pest/Disease Check
  Quince (Meech's Prolific)

  Continue monitoring for pests and diseases throughout the summer growing season.

• Let the Leaves Die Back
  Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup)

  Leave the foliage for at least six weeks after flowering, until it yellows — don't knot or cut it. Then tidy it away.

• Lift and Store the Corms
  Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup)

  Once the leaves yellow, lift the corms, dry them for a few weeks and store in paper bags somewhere cool and frost-free until spring.

• Cut Out Fruited Canes
  Raspberry (Glen Ample)

  After picking, cut all canes that fruited this year to the ground and tie in the best new ones (about 8 per metre).

• Water in Late Summer
  Rhododendron

  Water with rainwater in dry spells — next year's flower buds form now.

• Tidy After Fruiting
  Strawberry (Cambridge Favourite)

  Cut off old leaves 10 cm above the crown, remove the straw, pot up a few runners and feed. Replace plants every 3–4 years.

• Tidy After Fruiting
  Strawberry (Elsanta)

  Cut off old leaves 10 cm above the crown, remove straw and weeds, and feed. Replace plants every 3–4 years.

• Cut Out Fruited Canes
  Tayberry

  Cut the canes that fruited this year to the ground and tie in the new ones for next year.

• Trim After Flowering
  Verbascum (Mullein)

  Cut the main spike off after flowering to encourage side spikes and a longer life.

• Prune in Late Summer
  Walnut (Broadview)

  Walnuts bleed sap if cut in winter or spring. Only remove dead or crossing branches, in late summer.

• Summer Pruning
  Wisteria (Chinese)

  Cut this year's long whippy side shoots back to 5–6 leaves (about 30 cm). Tie in shoots you want to extend the frame.

• Clip Hedge
  Yew (English)

  Clip hedges and topiary once a year in late summer.

Other months

What to sow in January, What to sow in February, What to sow in March, What to sow in April, What to sow in May, What to sow in June, What to sow in July, What to sow in September, What to sow in October, What to sow in November and What to sow in December.