What to Plant in July and August: Maximising Late Summer Gardening
Maximise your garden's potential by planting in July and August. This guide details suitable flowers, vegetables, and herbs for sowing and planting during these late summer months, ensuring continued colour and harvest. While many gardeners are winding down, late summer offers a crucial window for sowing and planting crops that will provide autumn interest, late-season harvests, or establish themselves for a strong start next spring.
- Sow hardy annuals for autumn colour or next year's blooms.
- Plant spring bulbs now for a vibrant display.
- Direct sow or transplant vegetables for a late harvest.
- Consider herbs for continued culinary use.
- Prepare beds for autumn and winter planting.
The key to successful gardening during July and August is to focus on plants that thrive in warmer soil and can establish before the cooler weather truly sets in. This period is ideal for sowing seeds directly into the ground or for planting out young plants that have been raised indoors or bought from nurseries. It's also the prime time to get spring-flowering bulbs into the soil, setting the stage for an early display.
This strategy ensures your garden continues to offer rewards throughout the autumn and even into winter, while also preparing for the following year's bounty. Whether you're looking to extend your vegetable supply, add late-season colour with flowers, or ensure a spectacular spring show, the plants chosen now are pivotal.
Sowing Flowers for Autumn Colour and Spring Blooms
While many summer bedding plants are in full swing, July and August are prime times to sow or plant those that will provide interest as the season turns, or even those destined for next year. Hardy annuals, in particular, benefit from this late sowing. Sowing them now allows them to develop into strong plants that can overwinter, often blooming earlier and more profusely in the following spring than those sown in autumn or early spring. Think of vibrant calendulas, cheerful cosmos, and resilient poppies.
For immediate late-summer and autumn colour, consider planting out plug plants or young specimens of asters, chrysanthemums, and dahlias. These will provide a splash of vibrant hues when many other garden plants begin to fade. Planting them now gives them enough time to establish a good root system, enabling them to produce abundant flowers.
Late Summer Sowing for Spring Bulbs
The notion of planting bulbs often conjures images of autumn, but the actual planting for many spring-flowering varieties should commence in late July and August. This is especially true for earlier blooming bulbs like crocuses, snowdrops, and early daffodils. Getting these into the ground early, while the soil is still warm and workable, encourages them to establish roots promptly. This early root development is crucial for them to survive the winter and emerge with vigour in spring.
When planting, ensure you select a location with good drainage, as waterlogged soil can lead to bulb rot. The depth of planting varies by bulb type, but a general rule of thumb is to plant them about two to three times their own depth. Mixing in some grit or sand can improve drainage, particularly in heavier clay soils. Consider planting bulbs in drifts for a more natural and impactful display.
Prepare bulb planting areas by incorporating well-rotted compost and grit to ensure optimal drainage, especially for early-flowering varieties.
Don't overlook the decorative potential of less common bulbs. Alliums, with their striking globe-shaped flowers, add architectural interest, while fritillaries offer unique bell-shaped blooms. By planting a diverse range now, you can create a succession of colour and form from the very first signs of spring.