Veggie garden
Vegetables to plant in August include beetroot, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, radish, spinach, and silver beet. Later this month start sowing summer vegetables indoors on a warm porch or in a glasshouse (mini ones are great too) in Daltons Premium Seed Mix. Consider what vegetables you want to grow and what is their preferred site (sunlight, shelter etc). If possible, plan to rotate where you planted your vegetables last spring/summer.

Initial soil preparation is critical if you want a thriving garden. Aim for deep, loose, crumbly, well-draining, and nutrient-rich soil. Dig to 1-1½ spade depth, adding organic matter like Garden Time Compost and Chicken and Sheep Pellets. This improves soil quality and encourages strong, healthy root systems. Complete this four weeks before planting to allow the soil to develop properly.

If you have heavy soil (clay based) add in Gypsum Clay Breaker and Soil Conditioner to improve soil structure and add essential nutrients. 

For raised planter boxes, refresh or top up the soil with Garden Time Compost and Daltons Premium Garden Mix which. 

Flowering annuals
Late winter annuals like calendulas, should now be in full bloom. Other winter annuals include alyssum, calendula, cineraria, cornflower, pansies, snapdragons, and violas. 

Where there are gaps in the flower bed, replace them with potted colour annuals for sale that have been grown to a larger size. Time to start planning the summer flower beds too – prepare the soil the same as your vegetable garden (see above).

Fruit Trees
A busy month for harvesting delicious citrus such as grapefruit, clementine, mandarins, navel oranges, lemon Meyer and ‘Yen Ben’, and Bears lime.

Applying a copper spray to stone fruit trees this month is critical to prevent future leaf curl and bladder plum outbreaks. While still a little early to apply fertiliser, spread fresh compost around the base of all fruit trees. 

Lawns
Time to give lawns some love. For established lawns, apply Daltons Premium Lawn Fertiliser towards the end of the month and increase the frequency of mowing as the grass growth intensifies. Over the next few months, gradually reduce the mower-cutting level to reach your desired lawn height.
Prepare new lawns before sowing with Daltons Premium Lawn Soil and ensure that the drainage is adequate to avoid issues in winter. Always purchase fresh grass seed when sowing a new lawn.

Roses
In warmer parts of New Zealand, new growth will be well underway. Applying a copper spray now is very effective in controlling black spot and rust later in the season. 
In late August, apply Daltons Premium Rose Fertiliser and repeat every six weeks until mid-December.

Ornamental trees and shrubs
Azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and flowering cherries are all providing gardens with colourful displays. You can still plant new specimens as the soil is moist, and temperatures will soon rise. Select healthy strong plants, and if possible, check that they are not root-bound (roots appearing through the base of the container). 

Herbs
While still a little early to plant a new herb garden, preparation can begin. Locate a very warm, sunny position in your garden, preferably close to the house for easy access. Raise the level of the new herb garden above ground level to improve drainage. Allow enough room to plant a number of frequently used herbs. If possible, find a separate area for ‘multiplying’ herbs like mint or they will take over the garden - alternatively, grow them in pots. 

Houseplants
Consider refreshing your houseplant collection if some have struggled during the winter months. Garden centres stock a wide range of interesting varieties, so explore different options.

With other houseplants that are thriving, this is an ideal time for re-potting. Choose suitable containers and use fresh Daltons Premium Houseplant Mix. The size of the new pots should be enough to allow at least two years of growth.