August is a big month in the vegetable garden. You’ve got to get in some early harvesting while also getting ready for summer and fall crops. This guide will show you the seven most important things you need to do to get a great harvest.
Roll up your sleeves for a thriving vegetable garden in September
To succeed in the vegetable garden in August, every task plays a vital role. By combining early harvesting, judicious sowing, appropriate planting and judicious watering, you can prepare your garden for an abundant summer season.
It’s not just about harvesting, it’s also about caring for your plants: pinching, pruning, thinning and mulching are all essential. What’s more, actively monitoring for the appearance of pests and diseases will keep your crops healthy and vigorous.
From harvesting the first vegetables to strategic watering and planting those most sensitive to the cold, each step will help you optimize your vegetable garden.
1/Harvest the first fruits and vegetables of the season
With the arrival of August, the first harvests from the vegetable garden make their appearance. At last, you can enjoy the fruits of your labors. Early vegetables such as potatoes, peas and broad beans are ready to be picked.
Bulbs like fresh onions, garlic and shallots bring intense flavor to your dishes. And don’t forget early root vegetables like turnips and carrots.
As for fruit, now is the ideal time to harvest the first strawberries and raspberries. Their flavors are at their peak.
And don’t forget herbs like basil and mint, perfect for flavouring your summer dishes.
2/Sow for summer and autumn harvests
August is the perfect time to sow seeds for a rich summer and autumn harvest. Here’s what you can sow:
- Green beans
- Beets and carrots
- Autumn and winter cabbages, leeks, celery
- Summer salads such as lettuce, rocket and lamb’s lettuce
- Squash, cucumbers, zucchini
It’s also time to sow annual flowers such as cosmos, nasturtiums and marigolds to brighten up your vegetable garden.
3/Plant climate-sensitive vegetables
August is the ideal month for planting vegetables sensitive to climatic variations, such as :
- Tomatoes
- Eggplants
- Peppers and hot peppers
- Cucumbers, squash and zucchini
Be sure to water and mulch these plants well to encourage deep rooting before hot spells. You can also install a shade cloth in case of an early heatwave.
4/Water sensibly
August’s high temperatures increase the water requirements of your crops. However, to avoid water stagnation and associated diseases, follow these tips:
- Water deeply once or twice a week.
- Avoid small, superficial daily waterings.
- Mulch the soil to retain moisture.
- Water early in the morning or in the evening to minimize evaporation.
5/ Care for vigorous plants
August is a period of intense growth for plants. To keep them healthy, follow these tips:
- Pinch tomatoes, eggplants and cucumbers to remove unnecessary shoots.
- Stalk and stake stems to prevent them from bending.
- Prune aromatic plants after flowering to encourage new leaf growth.
These simple gestures guarantee airy, disease-resistant vegetation.
6/Thin out seedlings
Carrot, beet and turnip seedlings sown in May need to be thinned out. Remove the weakest plants to give space to the strongest.
Ideal spacings are :
- 5 cm for carrots
- 10 to 15 cm for beets
- 20 cm for turnips
This operation ensures that each plant receives the nutrients it needs to grow properly.
7/Apply a maintenance fertilizer
In August, crops are considerably depleted of soil nutrients. This is the time to apply a maintenance manure to boost their growth.
Use :
- Mature compost
- Horn or blood powder
- Green fertilizers such as comfrey or nettle
- Plant or algae purins, but not in excess
Apply this fertilizer to the feet of the most greedy plants, such as tomatoes, squash and cabbage, and to crops that have already yielded a harvest.
8/Combat weeds and pests
As temperatures and humidity rise, weeds proliferate. To control them, prefer regular hoeing to pulling, which disturbs the soil.
Use :
- Hoe
- Grelinette
- Small pruning shears to cut them flush with the ground
- Mulch to limit regrowth
August also sees the appearance of the first pests, such as aphids and Colorado beetles. Inspect your plants regularly for infestations, and use natural repellents such as garlic, onion or tansy mash.
As for diseases, powdery mildew and downy mildew are the most common at this time of year. Aerate your crops well and avoid watering the foliage to limit the risk of contamination.
9/Mulch to protect your crops
Mulching is a great technique for keeping the soil fresh, reducing weeds and improving soil fertility.
Recommended mulching materials :
- Straw
- Dried grass clippings
- Dead leaves
- Branched Rameal Wood (BRF)
Cover the soil to a thickness of 3 to 5 cm for optimum results. As well as benefiting your plants, natural, plant-based mulching promotes biodiversity in your garden.
