Our 5 top tips for August

From lounging on a recliner during the day to toasting marshmallows over a fire pit in the evening, August is the perfect time to relax in your garden.

It's also a great time to start preparing the garden for the coming months, making sure that everything is in place so you can still enjoy a splash of colour in winter - and get next spring off to a flying start!

Here are just a few of our top tips for August:

• While temperatures are high, it's important to keep bird baths topped up regularly. Then, just sit back and enjoy the fun! Shop bird baths.


• Now's the time to prune shrubs that have just finished flowering. The aim is to remove any dead, damaged, diseased or crossing stems, and create an open centre that allows for good air circulation. Browse pruning tools.


• Make sure plants in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes are kept well watered, and pinch off spent flowers to help encourage even more to form. Browse watering accessories.


• Start planning your spring flowering bulb display, and get your order in before the popular varieties start to sell out. Shop spring-flowering bulbs.


• Keep weeds at bay as these tend to be very vigorous, and will be competing for any available water and nutrients in the soil. Shop weeders.