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Can You Believe It's Already Mid-August? Make the Most of It While It Lasts!



It’s hard to believe, but here we are – already halfway through August! Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday we were welcoming in the summer with barbecues, long evenings, and the promise of holidays and sunshine. Now, with September peeking just over the horizon, many of us are finding ourselves wondering how the weeks have flown by so quickly.

For parents, August often marks a bittersweet point in the summer. On the one hand, the long school holidays may have meant quality time with the children, beach trips, family outings and lazy mornings. On the other, the countdown to the start of a new school year has begun. Uniforms need sorting, pencil cases need replenishing, and bedtime routines might need a gentle reintroduction. It’s a time of preparation, excitement, and maybe even a touch of relief!

Meanwhile, for our green-fingered followers, August can feel like both an end and a beginning. All those early spring mornings spent sowing seeds, watering seedlings, and nurturing young plants are finally paying off. The garden is bursting with colour, life, and – for those growing their own – delicious homegrown produce. It’s harvest time for many, with tomatoes ripening on the vine, courgettes swelling under broad green leaves, and beans ready to pick. If you’ve been growing fruits or vegetables this year, now’s the time to reap the rewards of your hard work.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – summer isn’t over yet!

In fact, a heatwave is currently sweeping across much of the UK, bringing with it some truly glorious weather. With blue skies, warm evenings, and plenty of sunshine still on the cards, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and soak it all up before the cooler months set in. Whether you’re planning one last summer barbecue, a day trip to the coast, or simply an afternoon pottering in the garden, there’s still time to enjoy the very best of the season.

August is, in many ways, a month of transition. It’s the tail end of summer but not quite autumn. It’s a time to reflect on what the year has brought so far and to start gently turning our thoughts to what’s to come. For gardeners, it’s an important time to act – there’s plenty you can do in the garden this month to make the most of the sunshine and set yourself up for a strong finish to the season.

So, if you’re wondering how best to spend the last few weeks of summer, here are three key gardening jobs you can tackle in August:

1. Harvest Your Crops – and Keep Them Coming

If you’ve been growing your own vegetables or fruits this year, August is likely a busy and rewarding time. Beans, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, potatoes, salad leaves, and berries may all be ready for picking now. Regular harvesting is key – not only does it ensure you’re enjoying your produce at its freshest, but it also encourages many plants (such as beans and courgettes) to keep producing.

Make it a daily or every-other-day ritual to check your crops. Bring a basket, take your time, and enjoy the process – after all, this is what you’ve worked towards for months! If you find yourself with more produce than you can eat fresh, now’s the time to get creative. Consider freezing, pickling, drying, or sharing your bounty with neighbours and friends.

2. Deadhead and Prune for a Longer Display

Many flowering plants are in full swing during August, but without a little help, their blooming days could be numbered. Deadheading – the process of removing spent flowers – is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your plants looking tidy and to encourage new blooms. Roses, dahlias, petunias, cosmos, and many other summer flowers will thank you for the attention.

It’s also a good time to lightly prune shrubs like lavender once the flowers have faded. This keeps the plant neat and can help promote strong growth next year. Be careful not to cut into old wood, especially on lavender, as this can harm the plant. Aim to trim back around one-third of the growth, shaping the plant as you go.

3. Plan and Sow for Autumn and Beyond

August isn’t just about harvesting – it’s also the perfect moment to start thinking ahead. Many crops can be sown now for an autumn or even early winter harvest. Quick-growing salad leaves, spinach, radishes, and spring onions can all go in the ground now. If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, you’ve got even more options to extend your growing season.

For those thinking ahead to spring colour, now’s a good time to order spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and hyacinths. While you won’t plant them until September or October, having them ready means you won’t miss the ideal planting window.

Make the Most of the Sunshine

Of course, gardening jobs aside, August is also for enjoying your outdoor space. Whether it’s sipping a cuppa in the garden first thing in the morning, relaxing with a good book in a shady spot, or hosting friends for dinner outdoors, now is the time to appreciate the hard work you’ve put in.

Take a moment to sit back and really enjoy your garden – the sights, the scents, the sounds of birds and bees going about their business. The warm evenings won’t last forever, so make the most of each and every one.

A Time to Reflect – and Look Ahead

As the school holidays start to wind down and shops begin filling up with school supplies and autumn homeware, it’s natural to feel like the year is speeding by. But don’t let that rush carry you away. There’s still time to slow down, to savour, and to enjoy the very best of what summer has to offer.

August might mark the beginning of the end of summer, but it’s also a golden month in its own right – a time of ripeness, warmth, and fulfilment. So, whether you’re harvesting courgettes, deadheading dahlias, or just enjoying a lazy afternoon in the sunshine, take a deep breath and make it count.

Here’s to making the most of what remains of this glorious summer. 🌞🌻🍅