Things to Do in your Garden in August
Welcome to August!
August brings a natural shift.
Routines change, the days feel a little shorter, and our calendars fill up quickly. Whether you're wrangling back-to-school madness, managing family or work stress, or just trying to keep your head above water, life has a way of piling on.
Sometimes our gardens get neglected this time of year while other things take precedence.
To make that step outside feel easier, I created a free August Gardening Checklist for you to download and enjoy. It is simple, clear, and full of satisfying wins.
Every garden is a little different. Remember that timing can shift with USDA zones and microclimates. This checklist should work for most gardeners with small tweaks. Jot notes that fit your needs, or use the blank printable page to create your own customized list.
Print the checklist and keep it on the fridge or in the potting shed. Step outside, check off one or two boxes, and come back inside feeling lighter. More beauty, less mental clutter. That’s the goal.
Here is a Peek at
the August Checklist!
What would you add to your August To-Do list?
Your free download has a blank page for you to customize with your own gardening needs!
Looking for more monthly gardening checklists?
As a special bonus, you now have exclusive access to my printable Monthly Gardening To-Do Lists.
Print it month-by-month, and enjoy the pure satisfaction of checking off each task you accomplish!
(Confession: I sometimes write things down just so I can cross them off the list!)
Why a monthly gardening checklist belongs in your tool kit
Captures every idea before it floats away
Sets reminders about things you need to purchase
Prevents missed windows for planting, fertilizing, and dividing perennials
Turns big projects into bite size action items you can actually finish
Creates a record of what worked this season, perfect for planning next year
Looks beautiful on your desk, (hello motivation!)
What makes this printable special
Designed for gardeners with tidy check boxes and room for notes
Organized by week so you can spread tasks across the month without stress
Easy on ink with soft shading and a clean layout
Signature lenten rose border designed exclusively for Carmen Johnston Gardens, a floral frame that makes everyday planning feel like a special treat
Undated by month so you can print as many copies as you like for every season and reason
How to use it for effortless garden planning
At the start of the month, walk your garden with a pen, capture every task that comes to mind. Or, dictate your to-do list into a notes app or text message.
Write it all down! Sort items into the four weekly sections, big jobs in one box, quick wins in another.
Add all the things you need to do… watering schedules, planting reminders, lawn care and tool maintenance.
Document repeating rhythms, sun and daylight placement, future plans, great ideas… whatever comes to mind.
Keep the page on a clipboard by the back door, check a box every time you walk in from the beds.
End of week, move anything unfinished to the next box, then celebrate the progress.
At the end of the month, file the page, you have a simple garden journal for future planning, plus a record of what you’ve done.
A Few gardening checklist ideas to get you started
Use these suggested prompt ideas to personalize your page, then add your zone specific timing.
Water deeply and early,
Confirm mulch depth in flower beds and vegetable rows
Deadhead annuals for steady color
Pinch spent blooms on zinnias and cosmos, trim back leggy petunias
Prune lightly after shrubs finish their main flush, (avoid heavy cuts in extreme heat)
Feed containers and hanging baskets, check drainage holes for clogs
Scout for pests, hand pick beetles and wipe aphids
Harvest herbs often, cut back basil before it flowers
Sow quick crops where spring plants finished, bush beans and summer lettuce mixes
Check irrigation, repair clogged emitters, adjust timers during hot spells
Refresh porch planters
Clean pruners and sharpen snips
Who will love this printable
New gardeners who want a clear monthly plan
Busy parents who need a friendly reminder system
Seasoned growers who like to batch tasks by week
Planners and organizers, or those aspiring to be organized (aren’t we all??)
Anyone who appreciates a beautiful page that earns a spot on the fridge
Frequently ASKED questions
Is this a garden planner or a checklist?
Both. It is a one page mini-planner that becomes your weekly checklist, ideal for flower beds, vegetables, and container gardens.
Can I print it at home?
Yes. It is a free digital download in a standard letter size. Print on regular paper or a heavier stock for a sturdy clipboard copy.
Do I need a new page each month?
Yes. Each month gets its own page, which makes it easy to track progress and plan next season.
Will it work in any growing zone?
Absolutely. Use the prompts, then add timing based on your zone and microclimate.
Ready to get organized?
Tidy your tasks, grow with intention, and enjoy the satisfaction of checking every box. Print your copy, fill it out in a few minutes, then watch your garden flourish all month long.
Grab the free digital download and print at your convenience!
XOXO,
Carmen
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