August - this is what you can sow and grow

Grow your own

Lush and green and late summer heat! In August it is time to harvest apples, vegetables and berrier, and there is still time for some sowing. What about some fast-growing vegetables?

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - AUGUST

Although August is in many ways the month where you see the results of what you sowed in the spring, there are fast-growing plants that you can plant in the ground now.

So from seeds in August, Arugula, Asian vegetables, Lettuce.

Some leafy greens can actually grow easier when it gets a little cooler outside, compared to growing on the hottest summer days.

Plant perennials, shrubs, and trees

Autumn is an excellent time to plant new perennials, shrubs, and trees, as the soil is slightly more moist. Evergreen plants and conifers are examples of plants that benefit from being planted now, so they have time to establish themselves well before the frost arrives. August is also perfect for dividing and replanting perennials you already have in the garden, as they also benefit from the increased moisture in both the air and the soil.

The great harvest

Apples, tomatoes, cucumbers and spices... August is a wonderful time for harvest. Harvest vegetables, fruits and berries to build up your food storage for the winter by pickling, juicing, drying and freezing.

Some vegetables may need a little extra help to ripen before the frost sets in. For example, you can top the tomato plants to help the plant focus its energy on the tomatoes that are already on their way.

Continue to harvest spices and gather together into tasty teas that can warm in the autumn darkness. Blackcurrant leaves, mint and lemon balm are good examples of plants that are excellent for tea.

Planting seeds for next year

If you think ahead, August is a great month to harvest seeds from flowers and flowering vegetables. For the best results, it is wise to pick them on a dry day.

Feel free to use plant residues from the harvest between plants in beds and plant boxes, it protects against drying out and provides nutrients to the soil. If you have a lot of grass clippings and other plant residues, you can also start next year's mulching. As plants are harvested and the soil becomes available, it can also be nice to green manure - that is, to sow plants that add nutrients to the soil, such as green manure plants. Examples of such plants are crimson clover, red clover, and sweet clover. These green manure plants enrich the soil for the next season. Let the leaves come up a bit in the fall, before cutting them down and burying the remains in the soil. In addition to providing new nutrients to the soil, green manure plants make it harder for weeds to reach the soil. Many of them also help pollinators and other insects.

Move plants that cannot withstand cold inside

In August, it may be time to move some plants that cannot withstand frost into the warmth - depending on the temperature and where in the country you live, of course. Chili, paprika, and basil are examples of plants that might be worth bringing in early, so they are not suddenly exposed to night frost. For example, chili and paprika do not thrive if the temperature drops below 10 degrees.

written by

Liselotte Roll, Swedish garden inspirator, journalist and author of books about nature, cultivation, and animals, such as "Earth", "Cultivating for Insects" and "Chickens as a Hobby". (Photo: Sandra Birgersdotter Ek)

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Grow your own