August Gardening Jobs

August is a turning point across green spaces and managed grounds. While turf, planting, and landscaped areas may still look their best, prolonged heat and dry conditions put pressure on water resources, slow growth, and shift the focus toward maintenance and forward planning. From efficient irrigation and pest control to turf feeding, surface care, and managing grassland, here’s your complete guide to the essential tasks to tackle this month.

August can be one of the hottest and driest months of the year, making smart watering essential. Many water butts are already empty, and water restrictions may soon be in place.

• Reuse grey water from washing up or showering—placing a bucket in the shower can collect a surprising amount.
• Water early in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
• Check moisture a few inches below the soil surface and water only when it’s actually needed.
• Avoid overhead watering to limit fungal problems.
• Give your soil extra support with products like A1Lawn Hydrate Plus Wetting Agent to help it retain moisture.
• Top up ponds and thin out overgrown aquatic plants if heat has reduced water levels.
  

• Continue to control weeds, pests, and diseases, taking into account plant strength and upcoming weather.
• Feed weak or stressed plants before tackling pest or disease issues.
• Apply spot treatments to perennial weeds, and use selective weed killers when working on lawns.
• Clean patios, paths, walls, and driveways to prevent moss, algae, and grime build-up. Popular options include MMC Pro and AlgoClear Pro.
• Keep a close eye out for pests —warm weather accelerates their activity. Sticky residue, chewed leaves, or wilting may signal trouble.
  

The lawn often struggles most during August’s heat, but with the right care it’ll stay healthy and resilient.
Mowing & Maintenance

• Mow regularly, but raise the cutting height during dry spells to avoid stressing the grass.
• Trim overgrown lawn edges for a tidy finish.
• If ants are present, remove nests on a dry day before mowing.
  Weeds, Pests & Diseases
• Treat actively growing weeds with selective lawn weedkillers.
• Monitor for lawn diseases like Red Thread and treat with a suitable fungicide.
• Watch for pests such as chafer grubs and leatherjackets—August is peak egg-laying season. Apply nematodes at the correct timing to control infestations.
  

• Trim hedges lightly, but avoid doing so in full sun or ahead of extreme heat.
• Deadhead roses to encourage continued flowering.
• Remove small stumps to prevent rot from spreading to nearby plants.
• For large or storm-damaged trees, hire a professional arborist to ensure safety.

• Plant daffodil bulbs toward the end of August so they can establish ahead of spring.
• Pot up Christmas-flowering bulbs now for festive blooms.
• Use this quieter planting month to jot down what worked well in your garden this year—valuable information when planning next spring’s layout and plant choices

August often delivers the biggest harvests. Pick ripe produce - such as tomatoes, beans, herbs, and courgettes- regularly to encourage continued cropping and enjoy the freshest flavours of the season.

August is all about enjoying peak summer colour while preparing for the cooler months ahead. Whether you’re watering wisely, feeding tired plants, keeping pests at bay, or planning next year’s garden, a little effort now will set your outdoor space up for success.
Looking ahead? Our September Gardening Jobs Guide will help you prepare for the autumn season.