August brings a curious contradiction to the garden. While many plants are settling into a well-earned rest after early summer's exertions, others are just hitting their stride. It can be a month of mixed messages, but don't let this fool you into thinking watering can take a back seat.
The plants that are still actively growing in August need your attention more than ever. With less predictable rainfall and soil that's been stressed by months of summer heat, knowing which plants to prioritise with your watering can make all the difference between a garden that limps into autumn, and one that bursts into a spectacular late-season display.
The Late-Season Stars
While some of your garden rests, these are some of the showstoppers that deserve centre stage (and your avid watering attention).
- Dahlias should be coming into their own now, building towards their spectacular autumn display. These thirsty performers need consistent moisture to fuel those magnificent blooms, which will carry you through to the first frosts. Without adequate water, you'll notice dry, cracked, and yellowing leaves and blooms may fail to open properly. Don't let them sulk now when they're preparing for their big moment.
- Late-flowering perennials like asters, rudbeckia, and sedums are also swooping in to steal the spotlight this month. Consistent watering ensures they'll have the best chance for spectacular displays, extending the colour in your garden right through to autumn in UK gardens.
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Hydrangeas are famously thirsty plants, and August is often when these cult favourites shine, if they get the water they need. Pay particular attention to any planted in a sunny spot or container, and if your hydrangeas are blue, use rainwater where possible to maintain their colour.
For wide borders filled with dahlias, shrubs and perennials, a traditional close-reach can like The Bearwood Brook is a dependable choice. Its broad spout delivers water swiftly to the base of plants, while the balanced design reduces strain on the wrist making it perfect for repetitive tasks and long rows. Supplied with a brass rose, it provides a generous, even spray that keeps thirsty borders well-watered, even during high summer.
The Veg Patch Heroes
While some crops are finishing their season, others are at critical stages where consistent watering makes the difference between success and disappointment. While your show-stoppers grab attention, don't neglect the plants that are quietly setting you up for autumn success.
- Autumn vegetables, like your winter cabbages, leeks, and Brussels sprouts, are establishing themselves right about now. They need consistent moisture to build strong root systems before cooler weather kicks in. Think of it as an investment in your winter dinners.
- Tomatoes are at their most critical stage. Irregular watering now will split your tomatoes faster than you can say "caprese”. Keep the moisture steady and deep, and these tasty treats will thank you.
For efficient watering in greenhouses or veg patches, The Cradley Deluxe is a smart choice. It comes with interchangeable brass roses, so you can switch from a fine spray for young plants to a coarser spray for mature crops.
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Sweetcorn is doing something magical right now too, transforming those tassels into rows of perfect kernels. But this transformation is thirsty work. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during that critical three-week window when the silks are forming. Watering sweetcorn in August is key to plump kernels.
- Tree fruit, like apples, pears, and plums, should be swelling rapidly and literally pulling water from every available source. A dry spell now can trigger fruit drop just when you're tantalisingly close to harvest. Give established fruit trees a really thorough weekly soaking in dry spells. A single deep soak is more effective than frequent light watering.
The Hockley Heritage comes with a large brass rose designed to release a higher volume of water quickly, making it ideal for established trees during dry August spells.
Container Conundrums
Your pots and hanging baskets are facing their biggest challenge yet. They’re likely root-bound by now, with less soil to hold moisture, and plants that are bigger and thirstier than ever. This is when watering technique really matters. Water slowly and thoroughly, allowing it to soak in rather than running straight through dried-out compost.
You might need to water in stages. A bit now, let it soak in, then more until you see it flowing from the drainage holes. As always, water in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
The Sutton Splash is light and easy to carry overhead, and its supplied plastic rose ensures water trickles gently into root zones without waste. It is especially effective if you are watering in stages, as we recommend.
Weather Watching
August weather can be wonderfully unpredictable. A sudden thunderstorm might solve your watering worries for a few days, or a sneaky heat wave might catch you off guard just when you thought the worst was over.
Check the forecast, but trust your garden over the meteorologist. You likely know by now which of your plants are extra thirsty, which pots have a habit of drying out first, or which plants are established enough to no longer need as much of a helping hand.
Happy watering! Here's to an August of thriving gardens, abundant blooms, and celebrating how well you've tended your plants through summer's ups and downs.
