Posted by Tom Steel on 29th Jul 2026

Gardening Jobs for August

Gardens are still full of life in August, but a few well-timed gardening jobs now will keep your plants performing for even longer and help prepare your garden for the changing seasons.

Whether you're refreshing borders, sowing late crops or planning ahead for spring, here's our guide to the essential gardening jobs you should be tackling this month.

What to plant in August

Fill gaps for immediate impact

As some early summer favourites start to fade, now is the perfect time to refresh beds, borders and containers with established late-flowering perennials. Anemones, Asters and Heleniums provide reliable colour through late summer and autumn while continuing to attract bees and other pollinators.

Plant autumn-flowering bulbs

Unlike spring bulbs, autumn-flowering varieties should be planted while the soil is still warm. Colchicums establish quickly at this time of year before producing their distinctive goblet-shaped blooms in autumn.

Establish shrubs and climbers

With the soil still retaining plenty of warmth, August offers favourable conditions for planting container-grown shrubs and climbers. Whether you're introducing a new Viburnum to a mixed border or training a climbing plant against a wall or fence, planting while the soil remains warm encourages strong root development before slower growth hits in autumn.

Garden jobs for August

Prune Wisteria

It’s about that time to give Wisteria its summer prune. The long, whippy shoots produced during the growing season can be cut back to around five or six leaves from the main stem, keeping the framework tidy while encouraging flowering spurs for next year.

Just remember: A second prune in winter will further tidy the plant and support a stronger display of blooms when spring arrives.

Deadhead faded flowers

Regular deadheading is one of the simplest ways to keep summer borders looking their best. Removing spent flowers enables continued flowering while preventing plants from putting energy into seed production.

This is particularly beneficial for repeat-flowering perennials and summer favourites such as Dahlias and Rudbeckias, helping extend their display well into the later months.

Collect and store seeds

Late summer is a great time to collect seeds from some of your favourite garden plants. Once seed heads have fully matured, gather them on a dry day and store them in labelled envelopes somewhere cool and dry.

Saving seed is not only a cost-effective way to grow more plants, but also allows you to preserve varieties that have performed especially well in your own garden.

Sow green manures

If you've cleared any areas of the garden after harvesting or removed spent annuals, consider sowing a green manure crop to protect and improve the soil. Plants such as Phacelia help cover bare ground, suppress weeds and add organic matter when incorporated back into the soil.

This is a useful way to prepare empty beds for future planting while keeping the garden productive throughout the year.

Give fruiting plants some attention

Harvest crops regularly to encourage continued production while reducing the chance of fruit spoiling on the plant. Keep checking soft fruit and orchard fruit regularly, as many crops ripen quickly at this time of year.

Trained fruit trees, including apples and pears, may also benefit from summer pruning now to maintain shape and encourage fruit production.

Vegetables to sow in August

Spinach

With the risk of frost largely behind us by the time June comes around, we can start planting tender bedding and moving summer containers outdoors.

August is a good time to sow Spinach for a late-season supply of tender leaves. Cooler nights and moist soil help young spinach plants establish well, producing tender leaves through autumn. Choose reliable varieties and sow little and often to enjoy a steady crop rather than a large glut.

Rocket

Fast-growing Rocket is perfect for making the most of any spare space in the vegetable garden. It can be sown directly into prepared soil or containers, producing fresh leaves in just a few weeks. Regular harvesting encourages continued growth and helps maintain a consistent supply for salads.

Lettuce

Sow Lettuce varieties throughout August for crisp leaves during the cooler months. Lower temperatures reduce the risk of plants bolting, allowing them to produce tender, leafy growth for longer. Sow little and often to enjoy a continuous harvest.

Flowers to plant in August

Biennials

August is a great month to start establishing hardy biennials for next year’s displays. Varieties such as Foxgloves, Wallflowers and Sweet Williams can be planted out or grown on now, giving them time to develop strong root systems before winter arrives.

Spring-flowering bulbs

Although most spring-flowering bulbs are planted later in the year, August is a good time to plan displays and prepare planting areas. Improving the soil now means you'll be ready to plant as soon as autumn arrives.

Plant hardy Cyclamen

Hardy Cyclamen are an excellent choice for bringing welcome colour to the garden as summer gives way to autumn. Cyclamen hederifolium produces delicate blooms from late summer into autumn, making it ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders and beneath deciduous trees.

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Growing guides for August

Anemones | Asters | Dahlias| Rudbeckias

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