Whilst autumn may initially seem like the wrong time to sow seeds - August seeds can thrive through winter and into spring with the right care. To ensure a bumper crop for the following year - sowing certain varieties of seeds like cabbage and swiss chard in August can prepare your garden for harvest early the following year.
Rather than writing-off the autumn period, sowing seeds in August makes the most out of your green space; keeping it productive throughout the year.
Best Seeds to Plant in August
Cabbage
Golden Acre Cabbage can be sown as late as October - making August the optimal time to get seeds into the ground. Cabbage sown in autumn will germinate over winter, but need to be protected from pests. Harvest in the new year/ early spring for wonderful home-grown veg.
Coriander
In our experience - coriander is an easy way to add some exciting flavours to your cooking. Growing coriander from seed can be done either indoors, earlier in the year, or sown directly outdoors in August - especially whilst the temperature is warmer.
Parsley
An essential herb for those that enjoy to add some green to their meals, parsley is a common addition to many home-kitchen favourites. From tabbouleh to salsa, parsley is simple to grow and can thrive under the right conditions.
Preparing Your Garden for August Sowing
Now that summer has passed (for the most part), it's perhaps time to take care of some housekeeping tasks in your garden. If you're reusing compost, summer fruits and veg will have taken a lot of nutrients from the soil. Topping it up with some fresh compost or other organic matter will renew your compost, ready for new flower seeds, herb seeds or vegetable seeds. Mulch from a compost heap can be a great addition to your already-used soil.
Common Pests in August: Identify and Control Them
As the nights draw closer, garden pests will inevitably seek refuge and sustenance from your garden. It's important to keep them off your vegetables, but some pests are more difficult than others. Slugs and snails, for example can be easily followed by their trails of mucus. In warmer areas ants can be noticed by the emergence of dirt piles, as the insects burrow under the ground. We've even uncovered networks of tunnels in large plant pots before!
Whatever your deterrence, it's also important to also consider the positive impact that certain animals have on our gardens.
Caring for August-Planted Seeds
Succession Planting: Efficient Use of Garden Beds for Multiple Harvests
Succession planting covers the logistics of sowing seeds that will germinate at different times, and so not compete with one another for water, nutrients and light. There are a number of different versions of this, but a prime example would be continuous sowing and harvest of lettuce seed or spring onions for picking in the last few months of autumn.
Companion Planting: Boosting Growth and Reducing Pests with Strategic Pairing
Companion planting refers to sowing seeds that, once germinated and flowered will protect one another in a semi-symbiotic fashion, warding off pests and predators whilst again, not overly competing for food or water. For example, sowing chives and carrots together is a tried and tested pairing, as chives deter carrot flies, whilst also tasting great as a garnish!
