August is a glorious time for Galway’s gardeners. The long summer days are still with us, but there’s a noticeable shift in the air, a gentle nudge, which at times feels more like a chilly shove, indicating that autumn is on the horizon. For those with green thumbs (and even the green-thumb-curious ), it’s a month of both harvesting and preparing.
We might lament the weather at the best of times, but thanks to Galway’s mild, often damp Atlantic climate, gardens stay lush well into late summer, offering plenty to enjoy and plenty to do.
Harvest Time
August is peak harvest season in gardens across Galway. Soft fruits like raspberries, blackberries, and gooseberries are ready for picking, while vegetables such as courgettes, runner beans, beetroot, and potatoes are hitting their stride. Tomatoes, especially those grown in greenhouses or sheltered spots, should be ripening now, just in time for salads and sauces.
This is also the month to keep an eye on your leafy crops. Spinach, kale, chard, and lettuce can bolt in warm spells, so regular picking helps keep them productive and tender.
Planting for Autumn and beyond
While it’s tempting to sit back and enjoy the bounty, August is also a great time to think ahead. Our local mild coastal climate allows for a surprisingly long growing season, so there is plenty of time to grow your favourite autumn and winter crops.
Hardy greens like winter spinach, spring cabbage, and oriental salad leaves can be sown now for autumn and winter harvests. If you have got space in your beds, consider direct sowing carrots or beetroot for a late crop, especially in raised beds or under cloches.
Don’t forget your soil. As summer crops come out, it’s the perfect opportunity to dig in compost or well-rotted manure to replenish nutrients and improve structure ahead of winter.
Tending your garden
It is important to keep watering your plants, especially containers and any greenhouse crops, but make sure you remain mindful of rainfall levels. Overwatering can be as damaging as drought in this region.
Deadheading flowers like dahlias, cosmos, and roses will encourage them to bloom into September, keeping your garden bright as the evenings draw in.
Maintenance actions like weeding and mulching are pivotal during August, helping to suppress late-season weed growth and retain moisture.
A garden in transition
Galway’s gardens in August are both vibrant and reflective. It’s a month of colour, flavour, and fullness, but also one of quiet preparation. Whether you’re gathering tomatoes or planning your autumn beds, there’s joy in every task.
So, take time to savour the fruits of your labour and plant the seeds of seasons to come.
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