AUGUST
In hot dry periods it is essential to keep up regular watering – otherwise, in addition to the obvious damage to plants, there can be knock-on effects, such as blossom end rot in tomatoes, splitting of root crops and flower abortion in runner beans.
Make sure that plants in containers are getting enough water – even if it rains, the foliage often deflects the rain away from the container.
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Items outlined in brown are still relevant in September

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comprehensive advice
for this month from the RHS
Trim back lavender plants when the flowers have faded, to keep them compact and stop them sprawling.
Make sure you don't cut back into the old wood, unless it already shows signs of new shoots, as this is unlikely to produce new growth.


For longer stems for cutting, also remove the buds from one or more leaf axils down the stem, depending on the variety.


Collect up & burn fallen leaves to help contain the spread of the disease.



Feed weekly with a high potash formula, such as tomato or “fruit & flower” feed, which, with dead-heading, will encourage them to keep on flowering into autumn.
Wildlife in the garden

Big Butterfly Count
Final day Sunday 9th August
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Photo Competition
Sussex Wildlife Trust
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Which bird song is that?
Click to find out from the
RSPB's Bird Song Identifier

Asian Hornet
Keep an eye out for this intruder with a deadly threat to our bees
Click any day below for a more detailed weather forecast, also looking further ahead