August can be a whirlwind in the garden. Depending on where you live in Wisconsin, you might be winding down as temperatures cool or ramping up with more heat on the horizon. With so much going on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what needs attention.
This month is a prime example of how unpredictable nature can be. Some plants are wrapping up their growing season, while certain pests are just getting started on their next generation. Your mulch might be looking tired, but your compost is ready to be put to good use. Despite the chaos, there are still plenty of gardening tasks to tackle in August, both to maintain your current garden and to prepare for the next season. By addressing these tasks now, you’ll set the stage for a healthy and productive garden in the future.
Order Bulbs
While it’s too early to plant fall bulbs, August is the perfect time to order them. This gives you ample time to receive your bulbs before stores run out or the weather becomes too cold for planting. Once your bulbs arrive, store them in a cool, dry place until it’s time to plant. The ideal planting time is when ground temperatures drop to 40-50°F, usually about eight weeks before the first freeze.
Pro-tip: Use an auger to make planting bulbs quick and easy, whether it’s garlic or tulips—you’ll be grateful come spring!
Cut Back Herbs
By August, herbs can become unruly, making it a great time to give them a good trim. This not only yields a generous harvest to preserve for the winter but also encourages bushier growth for the rest of the season.
Trim any herbs that have become leggy or sparse, and they’ll bounce back looking better than ever. Herbs like thyme, sage, and oregano can be harvested and dried to enjoy through the colder months. Consider potting up some herbs to grow indoors, keeping fresh ingredients on hand even in winter.
Save Seeds
August is an ideal time to start saving seeds in many gardening zones. Collect seeds from spent flowers in your edible and ornamental gardens to save money and preserve your favorite plants for next year. If you’ve grown an unusual variety that you might not find again, saving those seeds is a must!
Carefully remove seeds from flowers, fruits, or vegetables. Rinse them if necessary, then let them dry thoroughly. Once dry, store them in envelopes, paper bags, or airtight containers. Avoid using plastic bags, as moisture can accumulate inside and cause mold. Soon, you can start your seeds indoors for next spring’s crop!
Clean Up Your Tools
August is a good time for a mid-season tool cleaning. If any tools are rusty or difficult to use, give them a quick clean to prevent disease spread and make gardening easier.
Start by washing your tools with water to remove dirt and debris. For stubborn spots, use a pressure sprayer and some soap. A little WD-40 can help remove rust and lubricate moving parts, making your tools as good as new.
Refresh Your Mulch
August is also a good time to evaluate and refresh your mulch. The mulch you laid down in the spring might be breaking down, especially if it’s been exposed to lots of water, sunlight, and foot traffic.
Adding a fresh layer of mulch will keep your existing plants happy and help new ones get established. Plus, it gives your garden a tidy, well-maintained look.
Repot Houseplants
August is the perfect time to repot your houseplants, especially if they’ve spent the summer outdoors. Midway through their growing season, their active roots will have plenty of time to settle into new soil.
Carefully remove the plant from its container and loosen the roots. Don’t worry too much about being gentle—most roots can handle a little rough treatment. Prepare the new pot with fresh soil, ensuring the top of the root ball lines up with the top of the container. After settling the plant into its new home, backfill with soil, water generously, and fill in any gaps.
Reseed or Restart the Lawn
August is a good time to reseed patchy areas of your lawn. Focus on the troublesome spots rather than reseeding the entire lawn, saving you time and money.
If you’ve been considering lawn alternatives, August is an ideal time to start. Planting a clover or creeping thyme lawn now gives it plenty of warm weather to get established before the cooler months.
Hand-Remove Pests
Pest control is an unpleasant but necessary task in August, as many pests are still active and breeding. Hand-picking pests in the morning or evening can help disrupt their life cycle and reduce their numbers.
Garden debris can harbor pests, so cleaning up any dead or dying plants will also help keep their population in check.
Preserve Your Harvest
As you harvest tomatoes and herbs, take the opportunity to preserve your bounty. Turn tomatoes into sauce, can excess squash, and transform berries into jams. It can be overwhelming to manage an abundant garden, but preserving your produce now means you’ll enjoy garden-fresh flavors all winter long.
Plan for Fall Vegetables
While some fall vegetables can be planted now, most will need to wait until the weather cools off. Start planning what you want to grow this fall, whether it’s Brassicas like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts or a variety of greens like Swiss chard and lettuce.
Start seeds indoors for crops that will be transplanted once the weather cools down. In the meantime, clear out your garden beds of summer plants to make room for your fall crops.
Plan for Next Year
Finally, use August as an opportunity to start planning for next year’s garden. With a live garden in front of you, it’s easy to see what’s working well and what could be improved. Take notes on plant spacing, sun exposure, and any other factors that affect your garden’s performance.
Consider practical aspects like your watering system and the placement of high-maintenance plants. By reflecting on this year’s garden now, you can make adjustments that will lead to an even better garden next year.
By tackling these tasks in August, you’ll keep your garden thriving through the end of the season and set yourself up for success in the seasons to come. Happy gardening!
