We are into August already and the garden should now be full of beautiful blooms, vibrant colours and fresh greenery, and at last after the terrible weather in July, the outlook looks a bit warmer so keen gardeners will be hoping for the opportunity to make the most of the weather and spend time outdoors.

At this time of the year, it is not only pruning, dead-heading and harvesting that needs to take place, but also it is a time for looking to the seasons ahead and begin preparing their garden ideas for the colder months.

So, what are the key things that you need to undertake to ensure you make the most of the late Autumn flowers and keeping the garden looking its best as we head into September

- Watering is key this month, particularly container-growth plants and border plantings that have not yet established. Keeping on top of this daily, making sure you water in the morning or late afternoon-evening to prevent the water evaporating before it reaches the plants roots

- Wildflower meadows can be mown around now – leave what you have cut for a couple of days to dry and drop any seeds, then rake up and remove. Don’t mulch with grass clippings as low fertility is the key to success.

- Prune wisteria to keep its growth and size under control, pruning will also improve its flowering display

- Try to use grey water wherever you can as water butts may be running low (although not this year). August is traditionally holiday time, so if you are going away, enlist some help from friends and family to look after the garden whilst you are away

- Chrysanths will benefit from being ‘pinched’ or sheared back to encourage more growth as will lavender and keep picking cut flowers to encourage more growth.t Also support flowers like dahlias, gladioli and lilies with supports and flower rings, this definitely needs doing before the Autumn winds set in

- This is a good time of year to start planting – sweet Williams, foxgloves and sweet rocket and other perennials should be planted at this time of year so that they have time to establish themselves to put on a substantial amount of growth before Autumn

- Cut back herbs to encourage new leaves so that you can harvest before the first frost and sow coriander, marjoram and basil in pots outside, to make moving them indoors as easy as possible – also continue to feed tomatoes

- Continue mowing but reduce the frequency and the blades (if we are lucky to get a warm August)

- Keep water features and ponds topped up to look after our wild animals and birds

And finally order your Spring flowering bulbs and the most popular varieties may not be available later in the season.

North Leeds is blessed with beautiful gardens as well as lovely Countryside – property photographs are looking beautiful at this time of year.

If you are considering selling your home in the Autumn and would like a free market appraisal call David Phillip FRICS on 01134 676 400

86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9AN w:davidphillip.co.uk e:info@davidphillip.co.uk

Covering North Leeds, Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge, Pool-in-wharfedale, Alwoodley and Otley