As temperatures rise and dry spells continue across the UK this August, gardeners are being urged to take practical steps to protect plants, support wildlife, and prepare for the seasons ahead. Noah Mabey, Senior Gardener at Thornbridge Hall and Horticultural Advisor to Platinum Spas, has shared five key tips tailored to the challenges of late-summer heat and the transition towards autumn.
Thornbridge Hall, a Grade II listed property in the Peak District with extensive formal gardens, gives Mabey daily insight into managing outdoor spaces under varying weather conditions. His advice draws on established horticultural practices that align with guidance from organisations such as the Royal Horticultural Society on water conservation and seasonal sowing.
Save seeds for next year
“August is one of the best months to start collecting seeds from your favourite flowers, such as poppies, sweet peas, foxgloves, and Nigella damascena, also known as love-in-a-mist,” said Mabey. “Allow seed heads to dry naturally before collecting and storing them somewhere cool and dry. It’s a simple way to grow more of the plants you love next year without spending any extra money. Flowers such as poppies can even be scattered straight back into borders now, allowing them to naturally establish for next season.”
Harvest fruit and vegetables regularly
“August is one of the most rewarding months in the kitchen garden, with tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and soft fruit all ready to harvest,” Mabey said. “Pick crops regularly as they ripen because many plants will continue producing for longer if they’re harvested frequently. I’ve been making plenty of homemade pesto from my basil, while fresh raspberries have been transformed into delicious raspberry sorbet.”
Help wildlife during dry weather
“Wildlife can struggle to find fresh water during long periods of warm weather, so putting out a shallow dish of clean water can make a real difference,” Mabey said. “I like to add pieces of tufa stone, gravel, or marbles so bees, butterflies, and other insects have somewhere safe to land while they drink. Birds will also appreciate a larger bowl of clean water nearby.”
Don’t panic if your lawn turns brown
“If your lawn has turned brown during a hot, dry spell, don’t assume it’s dead,” Mabey said. “Most established lawns simply become dormant during prolonged dry weather and will quickly green up again once rainfall returns. Patience is often the best approach, rather than overwatering or replacing perfectly healthy grass.”
Conserving water by avoiding unnecessary lawn irrigation allows resources to be directed towards more vulnerable plants, such as those in containers or newly established borders.
Looking beyond summer
“Although the growing season is beginning to slow, August is an excellent month for sowing crops and flowers that will provide colour and harvests beyond summer,” Mabey said. “Salad leaves such as lettuce, rocket, and spinach can still be sown for late-season picking, while spring cabbage, spring onions, and hardy herbs continue to establish well. It’s also the perfect time to sow biennials, including foxgloves, wallflowers, and sweet williams, giving them plenty of time to establish before producing spectacular displays next spring.”
These practical measures can help gardeners navigate the final stretch of summer while building resilience for the months ahead. For further gardening tips, visit Noah and Platinum Spas’ gardening calendar for year-round advice.