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15 Ways to Liven Your Garden in August

This August as Summer and Autumn meet for a drop of wine in the rolling hills of Britain where a cool breeze meets a sometimes unwrapped, soothing sun, it is the perfect time of year to adjust your garden as the seasons change.

Setting aside the poetry for now, this guide looks at 15 practical ways you can liven your garden this August with approaches such as:

1. Pruning Plants

It’s important to prune any plants which require such upkeep. Not all plants will need pruning and even when pruning is required, the frequency of this and other factors can vary greatly depending on the plants in question.

Some plants that often need pruning in August include: *

Wisteria
Hedges
Climbing shrubs (e.g. Pyracantha)

*Just make sure that this applies to the specific plants you have in your garden and to confirm you identify each plant correctly. If unsure, consult or hire a professional gardener.

2. Colourful Pots

One of the best ways of livening up a garden’s visuals is with the addition of colourful plant pots.

Standout plant pot colours to consider in 2024 include grey, beige, brown, turquoise, terracotta, ocean blue, blush pink, lavender, forest green and canary yellow.

You’ll also want to consider how these plant pots may look or contrast other tones/shades in the surrounding environment.

3. Introduce Water Features

If you do not have any yet, adding water features to your garden can create a more calming, serene and mood-elevating environment. Beyond that, water features can attract wildlife and even improve air quality.

Popular garden water features include water fountains, garden ponds, birdbaths, animal water features and spherical water features.

4. Sow Hardy Annuals as Needed

Certain hardy annuals need sowing in or around August, though the exact timeframe will vary depending on the particular plant(s) in question.

Examples of hardy annuals that you may want to sow in August include:

Poppies*
Calendula (a.k.a. Pot marigold)
Cornflowers

*Poppies are poisonous to pets so if concerned about your own pets or neighbour cats that may explore your garden, it’s best to opt for another option. Also, in general, you should check that any plants you wish to sow are a) not poisonous to pets and b) not a concern regarding allergies for you or anyone who may come within their vicinity.

5. Repaint Your Garden Shed

If your garden shed has not been painted in some time, you should consider repainting it to revitalise its aesthetic value, in turn livening up your garden.

Of course, you may want to repaint your garden shed with the same colour you are currently using or alternatively paint it in a new colour. Whatever the case, be sure you know what is required and take all necessary safety requirements. As with other work, if in doubt, consult with or hire a professional to err on the side of caution.

6. Install an Arbour or Pergola

Arbours and pergolas can provide shade to relax outdoors in the summertime. You can also add suitable climbing plants to them.

An arbour or pergola can offer practical value while adding an extra aesthetic touch to your outdoor space. These structures generally introduce a rustic and ornate atmosphere to the spaces they are added to.

7. Introduce Ornaments to Your Garden

Ornaments have the capacity to enhance the look and character of your garden and provide a specific theme or aesthetic addition to the space.

Popular garden ornaments in 2024 include the likes of:

Garden gnomes
Bird baths
Water features
Japanese garden solar lantern sculpture
Garden statues

8. Staking Plants Where Required

Some plants will need staking as they grow taller. Staking can protect plants from the elements, allowing them to grow effectively over time.

The sort of plants that may need staking include sunflowers, peonies and other certain tall-growing perennials and delphiniums. If unsure whether staking is suitable for plants, you can always check with a local gardener.

9. Revitalise Hanging Baskets

Note: Of course, if you don’t have any hanging baskets currently you may want to add hanging baskets for the first time this August. You’ll want to ensure you add suitable plants and take the right steps in terms of how to install them and where. If in doubt, chat with or hire a professional.

Hanging baskets need regular watering. Once or twice a day through the summer, for that matter, and usually at least once a week at other times of the year.

This August, you may want to further revitalise your garden’s hanging baskets by replacing any dead plants and trimming leggy plants that have grown particularly tall despite not having too many leaves.

While faded plants should be dead-headed in the summer, if you haven’t done this yet, you could go ahead to complete this in August before returning to this task in the summer next year and summers after that when needed.

10. Plant Vegetables

There are some vegetables that need to be planted in August or one of several months, including August. Popular examples include spinach, lettuce, oriental leaves, turnip and chicory.

Whatever the case, make sure you grow plants at the right time and in the right way. Plus, again, watch out for whether any plants you wish to grow may be an allergen risk for anyone in your home or potential visitors or neighbours and ensure they are not poisonous to pets if you have any or neighbouring pets tend to visit.

11. Pond Upkeep as Needed

Note: Be cautious of new pond syndrome which can occur when a pond is new or after you’ve cleaned out a pond and can lead to illness or deaths of fish. New pond syndrome can occur if good bacteria is lacking or removed from the pond. Without good bacteria, ammonia cannot be broken down into Nitrites and the fish can suffer and die as a result! So have a plan for where your fish can safely and healthily be placed until the pond is okay for them to return to.

If you have a pond, you’ll be aware of the value that maintenance can offer. Some tasks will be needed regularly whereas others may not be required very often.

You should perform pond upkeep more regularly if it seems necessary. If in doubt, consult with or hire a professional. Likewise, you should only proceed with performing this work DIY if you are sure of what is needed including practical steps and safety requirements. Otherwise, again, hire a professional.

Here are some of the most important steps for maintaining a garden pond: *

Hire a professional to clean your pond filter
Likewise hire a professional to replace the UV bulb every several months as needed
Rid your pond of fading or otherwise dilapidated leaves ^
Reduce plant growth and ensure around half of the pond surface lacks vegetation and this is applicable whether or not you have fish in the pond
Top up the water of your pond as it gradually evaporates with this likely to prove more necessary in the summertime, though this may still be needed in August

*Some of these tasks may be needed this August (especially if it’s been a while since you maintained your pond) whereas others will be needed more regularly.

^The purpose of this is to prevent leaves decomposing in your garden pond. Otherwise, decomposing leaves can pollute the water, reduce oxygen levels (which can be especially hazardous for any fish living in your pond and even result in their deaths) and result in a foul smell.

12. Add Solar Lighting

Solar powered garden lights are a great way of enhancing your garden experience this August. In general, solar lights will usually be powered entirely by the sun and utilise batteries to store energy.

This means that, unlike many other types of outdoor lights, solar lighting does not generally require wiring work to install which would require the work of an electrician. Therefore, installing solar lighting can generally be done DIY.

While you may benefit better from installing solar lights in the summer, adding them in August still has the potential to liven up your garden for evening use through the autumn and warm evenings in the future

13. Set up a Butterfly Garden

Introducing butterfly-friendly plants in the right ways and at the right times of year (thus ensuring any plants you sow in August should be planted then).

Popular plants to include in your garden to attract butterflies include:

Verbena bonariensis
Hylotelephium 'Ruby Glow'
Lythrum salicaria 'Robert'
Calluna vulgaris 'White Carpet'
Symphyotrichum 'Photograph

Again, check any allergen concerns with the plants you choose to add and whether or not they might be poisonous to your pets or neighbouring pets.

14. Add Garden Sculptures

Garden sculptures can also reinvigorate your garden aesthetic this August. Some options include garden statues, fairy ornaments, garden gnomes, animal ornaments and sculptural stakes. Such sculptures can add character to an outdoor space along with visually enhancing it. Similarly, you may want to introduce garden art.

15. Weeding

It’s important to weed your garden throughout the year, though if you haven’t in a while, it’s a good idea to do so in August. It’s best to weed your garden every fortnight or so, with the exception of if it is icy out, it is snowing, or there is snow present from recent snowfall. It’s important to weed carefully and effectively with the right tools and safety steps.