As winter breathes its final cool sigh across South Australia, August arrives with subtle signs of spring. The days are growing longer, the soil is still damp from winter rains, and deciduous trees are showing the first signs of bud swell. For gardeners, this is a month of transition—a time to prepare, to plant, and to quietly anticipate the explosion of growth just around the corner.
Sowing the Seeds of Spring
August is an ideal time to get vegetable gardens underway. With soil temperatures on the rise, cool-season crops can be sown directly into the garden bed. Carrots, beetroot, peas, spinach, and lettuce thrive in these conditions and will establish well before the heat of summer sets in. Radishes, quick to germinate and harvest, are perfect for impatient green thumbs.
Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage seedlings can now be safely planted out, while silverbeet makes an attractive and productive addition to any garden. It’s also the perfect time to plant potatoes—choose certified seed varieties and remember to mound the soil around the stems as the plants grow, encouraging more tuber development.
Herbs such as parsley, coriander, and dill relish the cool weather and can be sown directly or started in pots near the kitchen for easy harvesting.
Flowers and Fragrance
Ornamental gardens, too, come to life in August. Sow annuals like poppies, cornflowers, calendula, and sweet peas now for a vibrant spring show. Sweet peas especially benefit from the cool start and will reward you with a profusion of scented blooms in just a few months.
Bare-rooted roses and fruit trees are still available in garden centres and nurseries, but time is running out—get them into the ground now so they can settle before spring growth begins. August is also a great time to divide clumping perennials such as agapanthus and daylilies. Lifting and replanting them not only keeps your garden tidy but also invigorates the plants and encourages better flowering.
Fruit Tree Care
For those with a home orchard or even just a few backyard fruit trees, August is a key month. It’s your last chance to finish pruning deciduous varieties like apples, plums, and pears before they wake from dormancy. While you’re pruning, take the opportunity to apply a lime sulfur spray, which helps control overwintering pests and fungal spores—setting your trees up for a healthier season ahead.
If you grow stone fruit, particularly peaches and nectarines, this is the time to prepare for leaf curl prevention. Leaf curl is a frustrating fungal disease that causes puckered, reddened leaves and can significantly reduce fruit yield. To minimise the risk, apply a copper-based fungicide just before bud swell—typically in late August in most parts of South Australia. Timing is critical: too early and the spray may not protect during the vulnerable period; too late and infection may already have occurred.
As buds begin to swell across all fruit trees, apply a balanced fruit tree fertiliser to give them a boost ahead of flowering and fruit set. A well-fed tree in late winter will reward you with healthier growth and better productivity come spring.
Tidy, Mulch, Prepare
Garden maintenance in August lays the foundation for a successful spring. Weeding is easier while the ground is soft and before warm weather triggers explosive growth. This is also a great time to top up mulch across garden beds—organic options like sugar cane mulch, pea straw, or composted bark help to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature as the weather warms.
With lawns and hedges still relatively dormant, now is the time to service your tools. Sharpen your secateurs, oil the mower blades, and check that irrigation systems are in working order. If you have drip irrigation installed, flush out emitters and make sure water is flowing efficiently before it’s really needed.
Starting or refreshing a compost system is also a rewarding task. Layering autumn leaves or straw with kitchen scraps creates the perfect balance for rich, healthy compost come spring.
Attracting Pollinators and Pest Controllers
August is the quiet start of insect activity, and planting now can help attract the right kind. Flowers like alyssum, marigolds, borage, and nasturtiums not only brighten your garden but also act as magnets for bees, hoverflies, and ladybirds—all important allies in the fight against aphids and other pests. Interplanting them in vegetable beds provides beauty and benefits in equal measure.
Water Wisely
Rainfall can still be generous in August, so watering needs are minimal. However, it’s important to monitor young seedlings and newly planted trees or shrubs, giving them a deep soak when needed. Deep watering encourages stronger root systems and better drought resilience later in the season.
A Taste of What’s to Come
By the end of the month, the garden will be stirring in earnest. Wattles will light up the bush with golden blossom, citrus trees will be heavy with fruit, and early bulbs may start to break the soil’s surface. There’s a sense of anticipation in the air—of colour, of fragrance, of abundance.
So rug up, breathe in the crisp air, and enjoy this peaceful yet productive moment in your gardening year. August in South Australia is not just the end of winter—it’s the quiet promise of spring.
Ask one of our knowledgeable garden staff members for advice if you have any questions regarding anything having to do with your garden, indoors or out. We would be pleased to lead you on the correct path. Call us on 1300 165 165 or visit your local store.