This Month in your Garden - August

‘Dry August and warm doth harvest no harm’

Traditionally the month for vacations, if you are going away plan ahead and see if a friend or relative can look after the garden while you’re away, at least to do some watering.

Capillary matting in the greenhouse with a ‘wick’ immersed in trays or pails of water can help keep vulnerable plants watered. If you’re not away but have time off, take advantage of the good weather and treat the shed, fences and wooden features with a preservative or paint.

Lawn Care Guide - August

Weod monath. The Anglo Saxon for weed month.

It’s more than likely your lawn is looking a little brown by now but don’t worry, it will recover and green up in the autumn. The lawn that was scarified and aerated last autumn has probably faired better than most.

Weeds can proliferate but avoid using weedkiller such as a weed and feed until the September when there’s some rainfall and moisture will help deal with this.

Lawn Care: Questions & Answers

Q. We’ve had a dry summer but when it does rain the water sits on the surface of the lawn for a long time, what should we do?

The Vegetable Plot - August

Pick and Mix

Harvest time for ripening vegetables. Carrots, beetroot, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and more. Keep cropping your peas, courgettes and beans when they are still young and tender.

Keep watering during dry spells, particularly root vegetables and those you have transplanted such as the brassicas.

The Big Glut Recipe - August

Sumptuous summer pudding

Summer celebration and perfect to round off the barbecue, serving 6. Choose the berries and fruit you love best. Prepare the day before you need it.

Ingredients

• 750g (26.5oz) of mixed summer fruit of your choice from: raspberries, redcurrants, blackcurrants, blackberries, cherries, blueberries, loganberries, strawberries, tayberries, whitecurrants....
• 185g (6.5oz) caster sugar
• 2 tbsp crème de cassis
• 1 good medium white loaf of bread
• Clotted or double cream to serve