Gardening in August isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s hot, it’s scraggly, and it takes motivation. Skye Hamilton reminds us that the effort is well worth it. With just a few key steps, you can transform your late-summer beds and set the stage for a gorgeous fall garden.
One of Skye’s favorite tips? Feed tired annuals and perennials with a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Plant-tone. This slow-release, all-purpose organic fertilizer gives plants a natural boost without burning, helping them put on their final flush of blooms.
Skye’s August Garden Checklist
🌱 Weed control: Stay on top of weeds to instantly refresh the look and health of your beds.
✂️ Cut back overgrowth: Trim plants for a tidier appearance and encourage reblooming where possible.
🌸 Deadhead rebloomers: Keep flowers coming with consistent deadheading.
🌿 Fertilize: Apply a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Plant-tone to revive perennials and annuals for their late-season show.
🐛 Treat issues: Address pests and diseases before they spread.
So while August gardening may feel intense, remember: a little care now means a thriving, colorful fall garden later. Discover more natural gardening tips and find Espoma Organic Plant-tone at your local garden center today. 🌱
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/image2-1.jpeg20861141Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-08-21 14:01:012025-08-21 14:01:01VIDEO: August Garden Refresh ☀️🌿🌸 with Skye Hamilton
Follow along with Laura of Garden Answer as she brings bold beauty to her landscape by planting a vibrant mix of red-foliage shrubs. These richly colored plants are perfect for adding contrast in sunny areas. As she plants, Laura uses Espoma Organic Garden-tone to feed each shrub with long-lasting nutrients and Bio-tone Starter Plus to promote strong root growth. She also refreshes several containers near her kitchen patio, using Espoma Organic Potting Mix to give her annuals a healthy start and keep them thriving all season.
🌳 Tips for Planting Shrubs
Feed while you plant. Laura adds Espoma Organic Garden-tone to each hole to provide organic, slow-release nutrients that support long-term growth and vibrant foliage.
Jumpstart root growth. She uses Bio-tone Starter Plus to help newly planted shrubs establish quickly and reduce transplant shock.
Design for color and space. Laura mixes bold varieties like Black Ninebark, Weigela, and Beautybush, giving each plant the room it needs to shine at maturity.
🪴 Tips for Planting Containers
Use the right soil. Laura fills her pots with Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which helps retain moisture and provides a healthy growing foundation for container plants.
Choose plants for the conditions. She selects shade-tolerant plants to thrive on her partially shaded patio.
Add visual balance. Each container includes a focal point, surrounded by fillers and spillers for a lush, finished look.
Watch Skye Hamilton @hamiltonhousedesigns as she shares her go-to strategy for full, eye-catching hanging baskets in spaces with dappled or minimal sunlight. She adds a creative twist on the classic “thriller, filler, spiller” method—think filler, spiller, and longer spiller! Skye recommends using a strong, high-quality organic potting soil like Espoma Organic Moisture Mix to help retain moisture, as hanging pots can dry out quickly.
While Moisture Mix is Skye’s go-to for hanging baskets, Espoma Organic Potting Mix is also a fantastic option for all container planting.
Skye’s top tips for successful shade baskets:
1) SKyle likes to use 16” baskets and adds a plastic liner (snip a drainage hole) to help retain moisture.
2) Choose shade-loving annuals—these plant types can thrive in shady conditions and often have smaller root systems, letting you plant more closely.
3) Aim for 5–7 plants per basket to create a full, cascading look.
4) Focus on “fillers, spillers, and longer spillers” to build depth and interest.
5) Let trailing plants cascade over the sides for that overflowing feel.
6) Water consistently and use soil that helps with moisture retention, like Espoma Organic Moisture Mix.
Bonus Tip:
When planting, Skye adds Espoma OrganicBio-tone Starter Plus to provide the nutrients needed for strong root growth and big, beautiful blooms.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Hanging-Baskets-for-SHADE.jpg19201080Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-07-08 16:34:202025-07-08 16:34:20VIDEO: Hanging Baskets for Shade 🌿🌸 with Skye Hamilton
Join Laura from Garden Answer as she shows how to plant a stunning fall container filled with a mix of annuals and hydrangeas. Along the way, she shares practical gardening tips while sprucing up a flowerbed and harvesting potatoes from her vegetable garden.
Do you have shady spots in your garden that you don’t know how to utilize? Watch as Laura from Garden Answer demonstrates how to plant annuals in shaded areas to create vibrant, lush spaces. Whether under a tree or by your house, these tips and plant combinations will help you make the most of those low-light areas.
The Perfect Plant Mix for Shady Areas
Laura’s Plant selection:
Sedona Sunset Colorblaze Coleus: Adds a warm autumn touch, blending beautifully with pinks.
Tropical Shades Impatiens: Though labeled orange, they turned out a stunning coral pink.
Non-Stop Joy Mocha White Begonia: With tuberous blooms and beautiful foliage.
Queen Tut Grass: A compact centerpiece with a fireworks texture.
Patricia Ivy: Perfect for containers, though tricky in-ground planting.
Laura started with a small area in front of Limelight Hydrangeas. The plan was to layer Sedona Sunset Coleus for a vibrant splash of color, followed by Impatiens in the front. She also rejuvenated a nearby container with Queen Tut and Begonias, creating a clean and beautiful display.
Location 2: Under the Golden Rain Tree
This spot receives morning and late afternoon sun. Laura chose Colorblaze Coleus, part-shade to shade Impatiens, and Maverick White Geraniums for the sunnier areas. The result was a cohesive look that harmonized with the surroundings.
Location 3: The Maple Tree Area
This shady spot near the kitchen entrance required a cleanup first. Laura then planted El Brighto Coleus, White Begonias, and Wire Vine. The combination not only filled the space but added layers of color and texture, creating a container-like effect.
Final Thoughts:
Planting in shady areas can be challenging, but with the right plants and arrangements, you can transform these spaces into lush, colorful parts of your garden. Keep an eye on the light levels and choose versatile plants that thrive in varying conditions. Happy planting!
Watch Kaleb Wyse from@WyseGuide demonstrate how to enhance flower beds with beautifully arranged containers.
In this video, Kaleb shares his tips for planting annuals in containers, highlighting the importance of proper drainage for plant health. He uses Espoma Organic potting soil and incorporates Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and Flower-tone fertilizers to help with plant establishment and promote vibrant blooms.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Containers.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2024-07-03 10:42:352025-04-10 10:46:59VIDEO: Add Containers to Your Garden with Wyse Guide!
Join Laura from Graden Answer as she plants multiple varieties of annuals intended to attract pollinators. During planting, Laura uses Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus, ensuring her new plants receive the vital nutrients they need for successful establishment and growth. Along the way, Laura shares her top tips for planting a unique and colorful pollinator garden.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/30.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2024-06-25 17:21:062025-06-25 13:35:12VIDEO: How to Attract Pollinators 🐝 with Garden Answer!
Join Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide as he takes you on a delightful tour of his garden and shares his expertise on planting vibrant spring annuals and transplanting boxwood plants. In this informative video, Kaleb demonstrates his trusted techniques for creating stunning spring pots that will brighten up any outdoor space.
To ensure the best results, Kaleb relies on Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which provides an ideal growing environment for his plants. He also incorporates Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus into the soil, delivering essential nutrients that promote healthy growth and help his plants thrive.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, this video offers valuable insights and practical tips for creating a beautiful and thriving garden this spring.
Laura from @Garden Answer is packing up her truck with some annual plants and trusty Espoma products to revamp her driveway and spruce up her local church! Follow along to see how she gets it done.
English cottage gardens date back centuries. They were used to grow vegetables, herbs for healing, fruit trees, perhaps a beehive, and common flowers. The informal style went through a renaissance in the late 1800’s when they became somewhat more nostalgic than practical.
The informal aesthetic of dense planting and natural materials is still en vogue today. In this video, Laura outlines 10 design principles to help you design a cottage garden. Before you start, make sure you have plenty of Espoma’s organic Bio-tone Starter Plus plant food to make sure your plants get the best possible start.
No Straight Lines
Cottage gardens are always informal and a touch whimsical. Avoid straight lines. Gently curving edging looks more natural and playful. If your site restricts you to a straight edge, let the plants spill over it to create an unrestrained look.
Large Groups of the Same Plant
White cottage gardens are more relaxed in their design, it is still best to use large sweeps of the same plant. Think of planting in groups of three, five or seven. That is far more restful to the eye than a jumble of onsies and twosies.
Spacing Doesn’t Matter
This is one time you do not have to follow the advice on the plant tag. Cottage gardens are always densely planted and generally grow more densely packed with time. Annuals and biennials are often used in cottage gardens and will self-sow in the border. Biennials are plants that take two years to grow and flower from seed like the foxgloves shown. Another advantage to planting things close together is that there is less room for weeds to grow.
Color Harmony
It’s very important to pick a collection of plants that have harmonious colors. Without that the border would look chaotic. Garden Answer uses a collection of soft pinks and peaches with touches of blue and lavender. It needn’t always be soft colors, but they do need to be unified in some way.
Use Varied Heights and Textures
In any planting, it’s a good idea to think about texture, height and foliage color as major design elements. Nothing blooms all the time. Varied foliage forms and colors will create interest even when the flowers aren’t in bloom. Laura uses Heuchera specifically for the silvery foliage color.
Anchor Plants/Structural Elements
This is sometimes referred to as the “bones” of a garden. It’s a structural element that all of the other plants get woven around. In this case, it’s a beautiful shrub rose named Rose ‘The Lady Gardener’, a fragrant beauty with full, apricot blossoms. The rose is repeated three times. Repetition is soothing to the eye. It’s possible to use evergreens for a slightly more formal feel, or whatever peaks your interest.
Fragrance
The first thing everyone does when they pick a flower is to hold it up to their nose. Cottage gardens are known for their fragrance. Try to select varieties that smell good at the garden center. Roses, lavender, sweet peas, and sweet alyssum are all good choices.
Not Perfectly Maintained
Along with relaxed design principles, comes relaxed maintenance. Planting tightly will discourage weeds. Annuals like poppies will self-seed and move around the border, just like the biennial foxgloves. Weeding everything that comes up might mean that you weed out these plants and inhibit their spontaneous movements.
The Look Will Change Over Time
This style of gardening is the exact opposite of a formal border filled with geometric shaped boxwood. By its very nature this is meant to be more random. People often sow cosmos, violas and other plants that have a tendency to move around. Let them surprise you. If you really don’t like where one popped up, it’s easy enough to remove.
Be Patient
Being patient is really what gardening is all about. A garden is never really finished. Enjoy the journey!
Garden Answers Plant List
Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ – catmint
Achillea – pink yarrow
Allium ‘Serendipity’ – ornamental onion
Rose ‘The Lady Gardener’
Heuchera Dolce ‘Spearmint’ – Coral Bells
Clematis ‘Brother Stephan’
Digitalis Foxy Hybrids – foxglove
Lobularia ‘Blushing Princess’ – sweet alyssum
Here are more videos from Garden Answer we hope you will enjoy.
