Give hedges a last clipping of the season and remove all dead flowers and stalks from shrubs unless they produce berries.
Lawns
If there’s been a spell of hot dry weather set the mower on a higher setting and trim less frequently.
Pots
Hanging baskets and pots need to be watered daily and fed. Remove dead leaves and stalks and monitor pests. Give house plants some fresh air and place outside but not in direct sunlight.
Flowers
Train wisteria, honeysuckle and clematis before the shoots grow out of control and disbud dahlias. This is a good time to take cuttings of many plants, rooting them in pots of sandy compost.
Fruit + Vegetables
August is the time to pick apples and pears before they fall from the trees and bruise. Raspberry canes should be cut back once fruit has been harvested and new shoots reduced leaving just the strongest and healthiest looking ones. Harvest onions, garlic, shallots and runner beans and gather herbs. Dig up potatoes and keep broccoli well watered as the heads form also make sure runner beans and peas don’t go short of water.
