Gardening Tips: Mid-August

By Alexis Pencar

August is always a turning point in the garden! While summer crops are still going strong, it’s also time to start thinking ahead too! Some have reported a late start to the season and others, despite the spring challenges, are right on track.

Here are some useful mid-August gardening tips:

If your tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are ripening fast, daily harvesting is key, keep picking regularly since it keeps plants productive and also helps to prevent pests from eating all your hard work!

Not sure what to do with ALL that produce? Eat and use your fruits and vegetables fresh but make some time to preserve as a way to store food long-term. You can always freeze chopped veggies, dry herbs, fruit, or make sauces and jams to enjoy later. Use glass jars for the traditional route or even go for freezer bags as a quick solution, no matter which, it is always a nice treat especially for late-winter!

Didn’t get your garden big enough this year or missed out on certain crops? Stop by your local farm stands like Cold Springs Farm, Wendy’s Fresh Veggies, Parsons Farm, or even the new Seward Farmers Market to make up the difference and preserve all the same!

This is also prime time to plant your cool-season crops like kale, carrots, broccoli, and spinach, which grow best in cooler weather. Planting now gives time to mature before the first frost, usually mid-October, but varies greatly from year to year.

Don’t forget about your flowers too, since they could use a refresh! Deadheading is the process of removing any faded blooms, which helps to encourage new growth and just keeps things looking tidy! Also, if your perennials (plants that come back every year) are getting crowded, don’t be afraid to divide them (or thin them), which helps to keep them healthy and spread out.

Want to save money on your garden next spring? Try seed saving! Let your flowers like zinnias and sunflowers dry out, then collect and store their seeds in paper envelopes (avoid storing in sealed plastic bags). It’s super easy and helps you grow your favorite varieties again and again!

Finally, start your Fall prep by cleaning up garden beds, sharpening tools, and add even mulch to your beds to help regulate soil temperature and moisture.

Though August may feel like the gardening season is starting to wind down, there's always plenty to do and always plenty to grow during our warm season! Happy gardening!