August

August in the Garden

August signals the transition from winter to spring in the garden. Temperatures begin to warm and days grow longer, encouraging the first signs of new growth. This is the perfect time to prepare your garden, start planting and get everything ready for the busy spring season ahead.
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AUGUST TOP JOBS
WHAT TO PLANT NOW
AUGUST GARDEN PROBLEMS

August Quick Tips:

Fertilise the Garden

As plants begin to wake up, apply a balanced fertiliser or organic feed to nourish your entire garden and support new seasonal growth.

Spring Lawn Care

Treat and feed lawns now to encourage strong, green growth as temperatures rise. Repair any bare patches and keep weeds under control.

Mulch and Compost

Add compost and mulch around trees and shrubs to improve soil health, retain moisture, and prepare plants for the growing season ahead.

Plant Summer Bulbs

Get a head start on the season by planting summer and autumn flowering bulbs for vibrant colour in the months to come.

Prune Winter Shrubs

Cut back autumn and winter flowering shrubs such as leonotis, poinsettias and hypoestes. Feed and mulch after pruning to encourage fresh new growth.

Top Garden Jobs in August:

August marks the transition from winter into spring, with longer days and gradually warming temperatures. The garden begins to stir back to life, making this a key month for preparation and early planting. A bit of effort now will ensure a strong start to the growing season.

Feed and nourish your whole garden: Apply a balanced fertiliser or organic feed to beds, shrubs and trees to support new growth as plants come out of dormancy.

Revive and treat your lawn:  Feed your lawn to encourage fresh growth and repair any bare or patchy areas. This is also a good time to start managing weeds before they take hold.

Prune where needed:  Finish pruning roses and deciduous fruit trees early in the month if you haven’t already. Cut back autumn and winter flowering shrubs to make way for new growth.

Plant summer-flowering bulbs:  Plant bulbs such as dahlias, gladiolus and lilies now for a colourful display in the warmer months ahead.

Mulch and improve soil:  Add compost, kraal manure or mulch to garden beds to enrich the soil, retain moisture and prepare for spring planting.

Start planting for spring:  Begin planting early spring vegetables, herbs and flowering plants as conditions become more favourable.

Keep an eye on watering:  As temperatures rise, gradually increase watering, especially for new plantings and actively growing plants.

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What to Plant in August:

Planting the right plants at the right time is the secret to a thriving garden. Each month offers wonderful opportunities to add colour, flavour and fresh growth to your garden. Here are some of the flowers, vegetables and herbs that grow well when planted this month.

Flowers

Marigold

Flowers (Seedlings)

  • Alyssum (Lobularia) – Low-growing, sweetly scented flowers ideal for edging and filling gaps in beds and containers.
  • Begonia – Shade-loving plants with vibrant, long-lasting blooms, perfect for brightening sheltered areas.
  • Brachyscome – Compact, daisy-like flowers in soft shades, ideal for borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
  • Dianthus – Neat, compact plants with colourful blooms, perfect for borders and pots.
  • Impatiens – Reliable choice for bright colour in shade or semi-shade, ideal for beds and containers.
  • Marigold – Bright, hardy flowers that thrive in sunny spots and add cheerful colour to the garden.
  • Petunia – Showy, long-flowering blooms that perform well in sunny beds, pots, and hanging baskets.
  • Salvia – Upright spikes of colourful flowers that attract pollinators and add height to beds and borders.
  • Verbena – Long-flowering, sun-loving plants that attract pollinators and add colour to beds and containers.
  • Zinnia – Easy-to-grow plants with bold, vibrant blooms that brighten sunny garden spaces.

Flowers (Seeds)

  • Cosmos – Easy-to-grow plants with airy foliage and delicate flowers that add a soft, natural look to beds and borders.
  • Marigold – Bright, hardy flowers that are simple to grow and bring cheerful colour to sunny garden spaces.
  • Nasturtium – Fast-growing plants with vibrant blooms and edible leaves, perfect for beds, borders, and containers.
  • Sunflower – Tall, striking flowers that add bold colour and attract birds and pollinators to the garden.
  • Verbena – Free-flowering plants that provide long-lasting colour and attract pollinators.
  • Zinnia – Easy, colourful blooms that thrive in sunny spots and brighten beds and borders.

 

Vegetables

Cabbage Seedlings

Vegetables (Seedlings)

  • Beetroot
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Onion
  • Spinach
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tomato

 

Vegetables (Seeds)

  • Beans
  • Carrots
  • Cucumbers
  • Lettuce
  • Peas
  • Pumpkin
  • Radish
  • Spinach
  • Sweetcorn
  • Turnip

 

Free Veg Planting Charts

Herbs

Dill

Herbs

  • Basil
  • Chives
  • Coriander
  • Dill
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
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Winter Stars in the Garden

Camellia
Petrea
Ranunculus
Polygala myrtifolia

Glossy evergreen shrub with beautiful rose-like flowers, perfect for adding colour to sheltered, semi-shaded gardens in winter.

A vigorous climber covered in cascading purple flowers, ideal for pergolas, fences, and arches in late winter to early spring.

Bright, rose-like blooms in a range of colours bring cheerful late-winter colour to beds, borders, and containers.

An indigenous shrub with masses of bright purple flowers, ideal for hedges, borders, and adding early spring colour.

Problems to watch for in the Garden in August

As temperatures begin to rise and new growth appears, garden activity increases, and so do potential problems. Early attention now will help prevent bigger issues as the season progresses.

Caterpillar
Leaf Spot
Lawn weeds
Nutrient deficiency
Red Spider Mite
Thrips
Snail
Weeds
Whitefly

If you’re dealing with pests, diseases, or garden challenges, our knowledgeable team at your nearest Blackwood’s is here to help. We can advise on a range of solutions to suit your garden, from natural and organic options to safe chemical approaches, so your plants can thrive.

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Aphids: These sap-sucking insects often appear on fresh new growth and can spread quickly if not controlled early.

Caterpillars: As plants put on new growth, caterpillars begin feeding on leaves. Check plants regularly and treat before damage becomes severe.

Fungal diseases: Fluctuating temperatures and early spring moisture can encourage diseases like mildew and leaf spot. Ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering late in the day.

Nutrient deficiencies: As plants come out of dormancy, they need more nutrients; yellowing leaves or slow growth may indicate it’s time to feed.

Red spider mites: With warmer, drier conditions, these tiny pests may appear, causing speckled or dusty-looking leaves.

Snails and slugs: These pests return with early spring moisture, feeding on tender seedlings and soft new growth.

Thrips: Tiny insects that damage flowers and leaves, causing silvery streaks and distorted growth.

Whitefly: Small white insects found on the underside of leaves, feeding on sap and weakening plants.

Weeds: Warmer weather and longer days trigger rapid weed growth; remove them early before they compete with garden plants.

Lawn weeds and early lawn pests: As lawns become active, weeds and early pest activity can establish quickly; early treatment helps maintain a healthy lawn.

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Gardening Tip from the Blackwood’s Team:

August is the perfect time to prepare your citrus trees for their upcoming flowering season.

Apply a dressing of LAN to give them a boost and ensure they are well watered as temperatures begin to rise. Healthy, well-fed trees will reward you with abundant blossoms and a strong fruit set in the months ahead.

DISCLAIMER:  The information presented on this website is intended solely as a general guide. We neither endorse specific plant varieties over others nor claim expertise in stock performance. All information is believed to be accurate, based on private inquiries and experiences, and is provided in good faith. Blackwood’s, including its employees, disclaims any responsibility for harm, loss, cost, or damage arising from the use or reliance upon any information on this website, especially if any part of the information proves to be inaccurate or incomplete. Please note that the displayed photos are not representative of current stock but are used for illustrative purposes only.
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