Ger's August Gardening Tips
McGaughs on the Wagon Wheel
This week on the Wagon Wheel, Ger McGaugh shared some timely advice for gardeners looking to get their lawns and roses in shape before autumn. With the weather currently ideal – not too hot or too dry – now is the perfect time to get outside and get stuck into your garden. Here is just a glimpse of the tips he offered! For a full recap listen to the Garden podcast here.
Lawn Care: Preparing Now for a Great Autumn and Beyond
Ger’s big focus this week was on lawn care, and the key message? August is the perfect time to reseed your lawn – whether it's a new lawn or you're reviving an existing one.
Why reseed now?
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Mid-August sowing gives grass the best chance to establish before winter.
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Weeds are less aggressive in autumn, so your grass has the upper hand.
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With current weather conditions – warm with just enough moisture – seeds will germinate quickly and root well.
Tips for a great lawn from Ger:
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Keep cutting: Regular mowing reduces weed growth and helps thicken your grass.
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Feed your lawn: Use an all-in-one feed to nourish the grass and tackle common lawn weeds like daisies (apply when they’re in the rosette stage).
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New lawns:
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Start by spraying off weeds using Roundup or a similar product.
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Once weeds are scorched, cultivate the area by hand – avoid machine rotavating if possible.
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Same day as seeding, apply a slow-release fertilizer – it dissolves and grows along with the seed, promoting strong, healthy turf.
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Roses: Time to Give Them a Boost
A listener asked about David Austin roses with holes in their leaves, and Ger diagnosed the issue as plants being run down after heavy flowering.
His advice?
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Apply Better Plants Rose Tonic – it gives roses the nutrients they need to bounce back, and can be used any time of year.
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Ger also recommended the Better Plants Organic Feed, a 100% organic, cold-pressed seaweed-based fertilizer – great for overall plant health.
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He even mentioned he had cut back his own roses, buds and all, to encourage a fresh flush of blooms in about three weeks.
Ger answered many more gardening questions during the show – from pests to planting tips. Don't miss the full episode!
