Job assignments scheduled for August
August is a hive of activity on allotments, as gardeners prepare for the bountiful harvest of crops like runner beans, potatoes, raspberries, carrots, beetroot, globe artichokes, cucumbers, courgettes, and second early potatoes. This month is also an ideal time to sow new seeds and take care of existing plants to ensure a productive winter and early spring.
## Vegetables to Plant in August
Sow spinach seeds in late August for a crop of young leaves in October, followed by a dormant period during winter, and fresh leaves in early spring. Oriental leaves, such as mizuna and mibuna, can also be sown for winter crops. Sow wild rocket in early August for a crop before winter, and salad rocket in late August for better frost resistance. Kohlrabi, while not specifically mentioned for August, is a versatile crop that can be grown in various seasons, with purple varieties being hardy and suitable for later sowings.
## Other Considerations
August is not the best time to plant fruit due to the hot and dry conditions. It's advisable to wait until September for planting fruits like strawberries and peaches. Pruning of trained apples and pears, plums, and spur-fruiting, established apple trees can be done in summer. A garden trug or basket is useful for harvesting crops, and onions and shallots can be harvested in August, left to dry in a sunny spot before storing.
Lettuce, rocket, spring onion, radish, and winter salads like mibuna, mizuna, mustard leaf, and lamb's lettuce can be sown in August for harvests into autumn and beyond. Flea beetle can be found on brassicas and related plants, causing tiny holes in leaves and reducing their appeal for eating. Covering plants with fleece can help prevent infestations. Silver-leaf disease can develop on fruit trees if not pruned in summer.
Preparing for time away from the plot is essential. It is advisable to harvest as many crops as possible before going on holiday, even if they're small. Giving the plot a thorough soaking before leaving is recommended. If possible, getting a friend or neighbour to water the plot while away on holiday is beneficial.
When water usage needs to be thought about more carefully, such as during dry periods, a drought, or a hosepipe ban, there are various ways to preserve crops if they can't be eaten immediately. A guide on preserving crops is available, as well as a selection of must-have kit for jam-making. A guide on summer watering is also available, detailing what to prioritise when watering.
For those with fruit trees, a guide on pruning apple trees in summer is available. Summer-fruiting raspberry canes should be cut down to the ground once they have fruited. Blossom end rot on tomatoes is caused by irregular watering, so it's crucial to maintain a consistent watering schedule.
With these tips and considerations in mind, gardeners can make the most of August on their allotments, ensuring a bountiful harvest and a productive winter and early spring.
In August, gardeners can sow spinach seeds for crops in October and beyond, as well as plant lettuce, rocket, spring onion, radish, winter salads, and other vegetables like mibuna, mizuna, mustard leaf, and lamb's lettuce for harvests into autumn. Additionally, taking care of fruit trees by pruning in summer can help prevent diseases like silver-leaf disease.
