August Garden Jobs: What To Do In Your Garden This Month
Help Your Garden Recover After a Hot Summer
August marks the transition between the height of summer and the beginning of autumn preparation. After one of the hottest and driest summers in recent years, many gardens across the UK are beginning to show the effects of prolonged heat and below-average rainfall.
Brown lawns, tired borders, dusty patios and early leaf drop have become common sights, but don't worry, there's still plenty you can do to help your garden recover.
From mowing wisely and watering efficiently to harvesting home-grown produce and preparing your lawn for autumn, here are ten essential jobs to keep your garden looking its best this August.
💡Did You Know:
Most brown lawns aren't dead!
During prolonged hot, dry weather, grass naturally enters a dormant state to conserve water and energy. Once cooler temperatures and regular rainfall return, most UK lawns will begin turning green again within a few weeks.
1. Continue Mowing Little and Often
If your lawn has turned brown during the recent hot weather, don't panic, it has most likely become dormant rather than died. Continue mowing where needed, but raise your cutting height and avoid removing more than one-third of the grass in a single cut.
Keeping the grass slightly longer helps shade the soil, reduce moisture loss and encourages healthier recovery once the rain returns. Robotic lawnmowers are a great choice to keep lawn in top shape over summer as they take off a few millimeters at a time and return the clippings back to the lawn to keep it as healthy as possible.
Best Tool: i600 iVISION Drop & Go Boundary-Free Robotic Lawnmower | Medium Lawns up to 600m²
| Dormant Grass | Dead Grass |
|---|---|
| Turns golden brown | Often grey or patchy black |
| Roots remain alive | Roots have died |
| Usually feels firm underfoot | Pulls away easily |
| Recovers after rainfall | Needs reseeding or replacement |
| Common during hot summers | Usually caused by disease or severe damage |
2. Water Wisely During Dry Spells
Rather than watering every day, give plants a deep soak once or twice a week. Water early in the morning or later in the evening to reduce evaporation and encourage stronger root growth.
Prioritise:
- Newly planted shrubs
- Hanging baskets
- Vegetable gardens
- Young trees
Established lawns usually recover naturally when rainfall returns.
💡Top Tip: Water deeply, not daily.
A thorough soak once or twice a week encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making plants more resilient during future dry spells.
3. Deadhead Flowers, Tidy Borders & Divide Overcrowded Perennials
As many summer-flowering perennials finish blooming, August is a good time to divide overcrowded plants. Splitting healthy clumps encourages stronger growth, improves flowering next year and gives you free plants to use elsewhere in the garden. Removing faded flowers encourages many summer plants to continue blooming well into autumn. A few minutes of tidying can make a huge difference to the overall appearance of your garden.
| Task | Why it Matters |
|---|---|
| Deadhead flowers | Encourages more blooms |
| Remove weeds | Reduces competition for water |
| Divide perennials | Creates healthier plants and free extras |
| Tidy borders | Improves appearance instantly |
Best Tool: 7.2V Cordless Grass & Hedge Shear
4. Trim Hedges (Once Nesting Season Has Finished) and Prune Shrubs & Climbing Plants
Late August is often the perfect time to give hedges a final light trim before autumn. Always check carefully for active bird nests before starting work, as some species may still be nesting. Light shaping now will keep hedges looking smart throughout autumn and winter. Many shrubs benefit from a light prune after flowering. Remove:
- Dead wood
- Damaged stems
- Crossing branches
- Excess summer growth
This encourages healthier growth next season while keeping plants looking neat. We have put together a complete Hedge Trimmer Guide for you to help you make the right decision for your garden.
Best tools: 20V Cordless 12cm Mini Chainsaw and 20V Cordless Hedge Trimmer
💡Did You Know:
Many hedges only need one final light trim in late summer to keep them looking neat right through autumn and winter. Always check carefully for active bird nests before cutting.
5. Edge Lawns & Tidy Around Obstacles
Even during dry spells, grass around fence lines, raised beds and garden features often continues to grow. Freshly edged lawns instantly make the garden look tidier and more maintained, even if the grass has become dormant.
Best tool: 20V 25cm Cordless Grass Trimmer which is also available in corded electric.
💡Top Tip:
Sharp lawn edges can make a garden look tidier in just a few minutes, even if your lawn has slowed its growth because of the heat.
6. Harvest Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs
August is one of the busiest months in the kitchen garden. Regular harvesting encourages many crops to continue producing throughout late summer.
Look out for:
- Tomatoes
- Courgettes
- Runner beans
- Apples
- Pears
- Herbs
7. Refresh Paths, Patios & Outdoor Spaces
After weeks of hot, dry weather, patios, decking and garden furniture often become coated in dust, pollen and debris. At the same time, trees stressed by prolonged drought may begin dropping leaves earlier than usual, leaving paths and driveways looking untidy.
Take some time this August to freshen up your outdoor spaces by:
- Pressure washing patios and paths
- Cleaning decking and garden furniture
- Blowing away dust, leaves and loose debris
- Clearing driveways and paved areas
- Keeping paths safe and tidy for late summer entertaining
A quick clean now not only transforms the appearance of your garden but also helps prevent dirt, algae and debris from building up before autumn arrives.
Best tools: Our 5* rated 2200W High Pressure Washer and powerful 40V (2x20V) Cordless Brushless Leaf Blower
| Weather | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Hot, dry weather | Grass slows growth and turns brown |
| Cooler nights | Growth gradually restarts |
| Late summer rain | Roots absorb moisture |
| Early autumn | Fresh green growth returns |
| September | Lawn begins recovering naturally |
FAQ's
Can I still mow my lawn if it's brown?
Yes. Raise the cutting height and mow only when necessary. Check out our dedicated blog post on reviving your brown lawn.
Should I fertilise my lawn in August?
Wait until temperatures begin to cool and rainfall returns before applying an autumn lawn feed.
Is August too late to trim hedges?
No. Once nesting season has finished, August is often one of the best months for light shaping.
Why are trees dropping leaves so early?
Extended dry weather can cause drought stress, leading some trees to shed leaves early to conserve moisture.
Can my lawn recover after such a dry summer?
In most cases, yes. Dormant grass usually greens up again once cooler temperatures and regular rainfall return.
Final Thoughts
This August isn't just about keeping your garden tidy, it's about helping it recover. After one of the hottest and driest summers in recent memory, a few simple maintenance jobs now can make a huge difference as the seasons begin to change. By mowing thoughtfully, watering wisely and giving plants the care they need, you'll set your garden up for a strong recovery and a healthy start to autumn.
