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August
Garden Tasks for August
Make sure rhododendrons and camellias don't dry out as it's in late summer that they form flower buds for the following year.
Prune rambling roses (but not other types of roses). Remove a third of side shoots and stems that have flowered.
Deadhead perennials to encourage further flowering.
Prune wisteria (Jul/Aug pruning, the other pruning is Jan/Feb). Cut back whippy side-shoots to about 20cm.
Trim lavender plants after they've finished flowering to keep them compact, but avoid cutting into old wood.
Apply a high-potash fertiliser (eg. a tomato feed) once fruits are set on tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, aubergine and sweet corn plants.
Pinch out the tips of runner bean plants once they reach the top of their support.
Cut back leaves on grapevines to allow sunlight to reach the ripening fruit.