Keep your garden thriving this August
Hi,
August brings the golden days of summer. We still have long evenings and borders in full bloom, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy every moment outdoors. Whether you’re watering, harvesting, or simply unwinding in the garden this month, this month offers beauty, bounty, and a hint of the seasonal shift to come.
It’s also a great time for light maintenance to keep your garden thriving. Tomatoes are ripening thick and fast now, and a little extra care goes a long way. Keep your plants well-watered and fed. A great tip is to remove the lower leaves of your tomato plants to improve airflow and focus the plant’s energy on fruit. Find out more about how and why to do this in my latest blog.
Every Saturday, you’ll find my gardening tips in the Daily Mirror and Daily Express. From seasonal jobs to planting inspiration, each column is packed with ideas to help you get the most out of your garden. Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned grower, there’s something each week to inspire you. You can find my latest columns here.
Later this month, I’ll be appearing at the Southport Flower Show, giving talks and sharing seasonal advice. I look forward to seeing fellow garden lovers there. Head to their website to get your tickets in advance.
August offers a wonderful mix of colour, calm, and harvests. Take this chance to enjoy your garden at its peak.
Happy gardening!
David
Step by Step Episode 3
From choosing the perfect rose to watering your plants effectively, discover practical tips and more in my latest video:
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Gardening tip of the month
Propagate your favourite plants with semi-ripe cuttings
August is a great time to take semi-ripe cuttings from woody plants and shrubs. It’s a cost-effective way to grow more of what you love.
Choose your cuttings
Look for this year’s non-flowering shoots that are soft at the tip and starting to harden at the base. These are ideal for semi-ripe cuttings.
Suitable plants in August include rosemary, lavender, hebe, camellia, hydrangea, and ceanothus. Avoid shoots that are fully woody, or too soft to handle easily.
How to take your cuttings
Using clean, sharp pruners or snips, cut 10-15cm lengths just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves and trim just above a leaf at the top. If the plant has large leaves, cut them in half to reduce the risk of moisture loss.
Dip the base of the cutting into hormone rooting powder to improve success rates.
Potting up
Insert the cuttings into small pots filled with free-draining peat-free compost mixed with perlite or grit. Water it gently and cover with a clear plastic bag or propagator lid to retain humidity.
Place in bright, indirect light, to avoid scorching.
Ongoing care
Keep the compost just moist and air the container daily to prevent mould. After 6-8 weeks, roots should form.
Once they’re well established, pot each cutting into its own small pot. Grow them on in a sheltered spot until they’re ready to be planted out next spring.
Create a Wildlife Haven
Attract birds, bees, frogs, and more to your garden with an artificial wildlife stream. This guide shares tips for creating a beautiful, biodiversity-boosting water feature:
Catch up on my latest blogs
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Congratulations to the winners!
Keep your eyes peeled for more blogs, videos, competitions and winner announcements throughout August.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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